The remaining Andium properties at Haut du Mont will be “sensitively refurbished” and ready to be re-occupied by the end of this year – with the completed homes to be renamed Vue du Port.
Writing in the affordable housing provider’s latest annual report, outgoing CEO Ian Gallichan said that Andium’s thoughts remained with those affected by the explosion that claimed the lives of ten islanders in December 2022.
Residents Peter Bowler (72), Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 63-year-old Billy Marsden died in the blast.
Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block at Haut de Mont, was injured as a result of the explosion and died at the General Hospital on Christmas Day that year.
More than 40 islanders were also forced to leave their homes due to damage caused by the explosion.
An order, signed last year, later allowed for the demolition of the most severely damaged blocks of flats left standing.
Land at the south side of the site was transferred to the Government earlier this year, for the creation of a memorial garden.
Last month, three Island Energy employees formally entered not guilty pleas to ten manslaughter charges in connection with the Haut du Mont explosion.
Island Energy also pleaded not guilty to separate charges for breaching health-and-safety laws in relation to the same incident.
Writing in the Andium’s 2024 report, Mr Gallichan – who was recently made an OBE for services to the community as Andium’s CEO – said: “Following consultation with the bereaved families and the displaced residents, we are committed to ensuring our remaining homes on the site, 21 one-bedroom apartments, are sensitively refurbished and brought back into use.”
He continued: “Refurbishment of the homes commenced at the beginning of this year and will be completed and ready to be re-occupied at the end of 2025.
“Following consultation with the bereaved families and displaced residents the completed homes will be renamed ‘Vue du Port’ and the land where buildings once stood has now been transferred to the Government for a memorial to be created.”