PLANS to turn the former Pinetops Hotel into an 18-flat residential development will have to wait. An appeal against an Environment ruling was unanimously rejected in the Royal Court yesterday.
The nine jurats found that the department had not acted unreasonably in rejecting the application from Capability Ltd, which trades as Harbour Lights.
But outside the court, project coordinator Ron Wilkes-Green confirmed the company would soon be back with another application for the site off Pointues Rocques, St Sampson’s.
Harbour Lights had already had two previous applications to demolish the hotel and to build apartments rejected in June 2002 and September 2003.
The company’s last application, for 18 flats split between two blocks along with underground parking, was rejected in June 2005.
The three-storey northern block in the proposed development would have been built on the footprint of the now disused hotel, while the five-storey southern block, which would have been connected by a stairwell, would have been built into the face of a quarry wall.
Crown Advocate Phillip Nicol-Gent, for the department, said the development did not comply with the policies of the Urban Area Plan.
‘The size was out of scale with the surroundings.’
He said the department felt it was too high when compared to the buildings around it and it would have affected the landscape and view of the area and dominated the skyline.
Advocate Nicol-Gent said the department would consider a development of this size only if it was of civic or visual significance, but this was a very ordinary apartment block.
Three neighbours had also expressed concerns about the development.
Like the department, they were worried about views being spoilt and the increase in traffic.
Environment also felt that balconies and terraces in the plans would overlook neighbouring properties.
‘It has applied the policies it needs to in relation to the Urban Area Plan,’ said Advocate Nicol-Gent.
However, Advocate Peter Ferbrache, representing Harbour Lights, said the plans did fit in with the ideals of the plan.
He said the blocks would not have been significantly higher than those around it and that Harbour Lights’ development would have made use of a now-derelict area with high-density residential units as wanted in the UAP.
‘The general presumption is that there will be developments in sites just like this.
‘Its life has passed and it needs proper development.’
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?