Former offices near St James and Elizabeth College can be converted into a house of multiple occupancy despite a number of issues previously being raised by the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation.
Numbers 3 and 4 St James’ Street are the blue coloured building, with two separate entrances, opposite the railings of Elizabeth College.
A previous owner was granted a change of use from offices to residential in 2020, when permission was given to create three flats and one multiple occupation maisonette.
A further planning application to create two dwellings was approved in 2022.
The property was then sold, with planning permission in place until March 2025, by La Madeleine Investments Ltd in February last year for £550,000.
Now owned by Ravenscroft Construction Ltd, another planning application was submitted last year, asking for permission to create two houses of multiple occupancy allowing a maximum occupancy of 11 people.
That’s been agreed.
The buildings were previously listed for sale or rent by Savills, which described the property as “an attractive period building situated in a prominent position in the heart of St Peter Port”.
It previously offered work and meeting spaces across four floors within walking distance of long-stay public car parking, but the building is understood to have not been used for offices in sometime.
The lack of parking was addressed in the latest planning permission with the Planning Inspectors saying “the site is situated in a sustainable urban location within a Main Centre Inner Area within walking distance of the shops and services provided in town and
various car parks and locations that provide on-street car parking, and bicycle parking. Situated close to main bus routes the site is accessible by other more sustainable means of transport than the motor car. Considering the above the proposal would not cause any detriment to highway safety and complies with the provisions of Policy IP7″.
The lack of any outdoor space has also been addressed with the Planning Inspectors noting the site’s close proximity to Candie Gardens and other outdoor locations.
The Office of Environmental Health and Pollution had some concerns when the plans were first brought to its attention around the cooking space provided and adequate ventilation for one of the bedrooms, but once those had been addressed it said it had no objections to the two new properties of multi-occupancy being built.
Planning permission was granted but it will cease to have effect on 22 January 2028 if work has not started by then.