Fort Tourgis
FORT Tourgis could hold the key to Alderney’s airport terminal being improved.
Developer Verweij en Partners BV has increased its offer for the freehold of the fort from £600,000 to £1m. Alderney States is being asked to accept that and a separate agreement that the developer is then involved in an approach to Guernsey States to improve the airport, using £400,000 from the fort’s sale.
‘The proposals do not include extending the runway but do envisage, among other things, improvements to or replacement of the terminal building,’ said Policy and Finance committee chairman Richard Willmott in the States report.
Guernsey’s Public Services Department is responsible for the airport, which receives a £500,000 annual subsidy.
‘We welcome Alderney’s initiative in setting up this deal. If it comes to fruition it can only be good for the island and the airport,’ said minister Deputy Bill Bell.
The department’s attempt in 2006 to set up a deal with private investor Terry Holding to develop the airport fell through after a hostile reception in the island to the fact that several luxury homes would also be built.
Plans to develop Fort Tourgis have had a troubled past. In December 2004, Alderney’s States decided to negotiate the sale of the freehold.
A preferred developer was accepted, but then withdrew after delays.
Verweij en Partners was then selected, with outline planning permission for turning the fort into a conference centre given in April.
V&P has a strong record of completed projects, primarily in, but not restricted to the Netherlands, including a significant number of restorations of historic buildings.
A team from Alderney has visited its offices in the Netherlands and inspected some of its projects.
The proposal before the States also asks for a limited area to be made available outside the fort under lease for ancillary purposes.
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One Article Comment
i think this is a really bad idea! for a start this fort is one of the atractions on alderney. younger children go and look at the fort with parents, i think the fort should be put to good use instead of being used as an extension of our airport!!!
the airport is big enough already for this tiny island, even thought the fort is falling apart i think they should use the money to refurbish this fantastic building.
this is history we have on this island why pull it apart when we can just keep it and make it look so much better not like a dump!!
jade baller st anne’s school
age 14