Leale’s Yard should be demolished by the second quarter of next year, but the Housing President admitted there are scant details about how the wider Bridge will be redeveloped.

Deputy Steve Williams, President of Housing, told States members in his inaugural update statement that while he is keen to see “progress as fast as possible” on the now States-owned site and said the project is being jointly overseen with Policy & Resources and Environment & Infrastructure. 

But he admitted that there is “nothing concrete yet” with regards to renewed plans, changes to the layout and infrastructure changes from roads to flood defences.

The States bought the majority of the site from the CI Co-op for £4.5m earlier this summer, and it’s understood that private sector partnerships are being sought to develop the site.

P&R went out to tender for the demolition earlier this month. 

Deputy Williams, responding to questions, said they are interested in using modular or pre-built homes as it would be “the only way to get impact this term”, but he noted there are questions of where these methods of construction would be suitable and practicable.

Deputy Andy Sloan, the Scrutiny President who last week expressed concern that no business case had been drawn up over the purchase of Leale’s Yard, asked if Housing would publish its terms of reference for reviewing the project.

Deputy Williams said nothing has been discussed yet but it will be “an area we will be open about in due course”. 

Pictured: It was the Committee for Housing’s first update statement in the States since it was created.

Deputy Williams also announced that Housing is drawing up a housing site availability framework which will be jointly updated by the States and private developers to bring clarity to how many new builds there are and progress across sites.

Sharing it with industry would mean delays were identified early, he added.

Deputy Williams said the industry is behind it and there was “a strong collaborative spirit” behind it ahead of its launch later this year.

Housing is also looking to remove restrictions on dower units attached to larger homes so they can be rented out to non-family members.

Deputy Williams said larger properties are currently being underused and opening up dower units would provide “much needed roofs” in the short term.