This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

HOUSING is strongly opposed to Treasury and Resources’ bid to move four local market properties to the open market register. Treasury wants to maximise the sale of Fort Richmond, Granville House, Grange House and Belvedere House by doing so on the open market.

Housing minister Dave Jones said the creation of a new policy for the sole benefit of the States would set a precedent that could be seen as discriminatory.

‘Our reservations are based on the fact that the Housing Control Law is very clear about inscription of previously local market properties on to the open market.

‘While I fully understand what Treasury and Resources is trying to achieve by maximising the sale value of those properties, I cannot support a move where Housing could find itself fighting applications from private home owners or charities who may wish to do the same,’ said Deputy Jones.

The open market register has been closed for new inscriptions since the 1982 law came into force.

Deputy Jones said there could not be one rule for government and another for everyone else.

‘The Housing Department’s job is to enforce the law. The States may however take a different view and overwrite our concerns and vote in favour of Treasury, but I think we would be in a very difficult position if they do.’

Deputy Jones said it was a precarious situation as far as government was concerned.

‘Something would have to be done to the register for future properties going before the States to make sure people in the private sector would not be able to take advantage of the changes,’ he said.

Housing has also made clear in a letter to Treasury that it was opposed to the change because three of the four properties would be unlikely to be considered as dwellings under the terms of the law when sold and therefore could not be inscribed on the register prior to purchase.