This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

PLANS to build a new Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club headquarters on the Crown Pier have outraged some people.

Ironbridge Estates managing director Peter Kaufman Kent has sponsored a competition to design a new clubhouse and the six shortlisted entries were published in Friday’s Guernsey Press.

Michelle Ward said she had wondered if it was still 1 April when she saw the images. ‘Can Mr Kaufman Kent seriously believe any of these designs are in keeping with the area, which is a very sensitive part of the beautiful backdrop of St Peter Port?’ she said. ‘The word, carbuncle, springs to mind.

‘Mr Kaufman Kent may have connections with the Jersey waterfront, but please don’t let him ruin our harbour like Jersey have done theirs.’

Any development should not be higher than The Boathouse restaurant next door, she said.

‘Why couldn’t one of our local architects design this?’ she said.

‘I just hope and pray that the Environment Department sees sense and learns from the public outcry when the glass buildings at Admiral Park went up.’

Accredited tour guide Annette Henry said the designs were totally out of keeping.

‘And how is it going to bring in more tourists?’ she said. ‘The facilities will be for the chosen few and not the majority.’

Former La Societe Guernesiaise president Charles David said the designs might be all right, but the location was not.

‘They should not be allowed to build anything two-storey on this site,’ he said.

‘It would block the view of Town and change a historic landscape.

‘I do not believe the emotive phrase that Guernsey should move forward and there are plenty of other places for a yacht club.’

From a long-term point of view no more building should take place at sea level, he said.

Geoff Le Noury said he would not want any of the designs in that area.

‘And does this mean that parking spaces will be lost and a private concern is given States-owned land?’ he asked.