A LEADING developer wants to invest millions of pounds to convert the Randall’s Brewery building complex into a luxury hotel but the States will not let him – at least not yet. Peter Kaufman Kent of Ironbridge Estates consulted the Environment Department about changing the building’s use in March, but is still waiting to hear whether the planners will allow the change.

‘Until then, we cannot submit any plans for the development,’ he said yesterday.

‘The site, under the Town development plan, is currently designated as a brewery, so we have to get the Environment Department to decide what alternative use the site can be used for.

‘At the moment, our understanding is that the alternative use will either be residential or a hotel but that has to be confirmed so we cannot start the planning process.

‘You cannot make an application for change of use unless structural planning dictates it’s a suitable use.’

Mr Kaufman Kent, who has been in the development business for 35 years and invested more than £45m. in Jersey’s Radisson Hotel, said as a developer, he had not often experienced such reluctance for change.

‘I think the process is not unique but it might be particularly difficult in Guernsey.

‘I have spent more than 30 years regenerating buildings and areas that have outlived their original use.

‘The world is moving on and people generally welcome you and say ﾓthat’s such a great idea – get on with itﾔ but you just cannot get anybody in Environment to do that.

‘The system doesn’t work.

‘It’s not the people but somehow they cannot fix the system,’ he said.

Mr Kaufman Kent said he was told by Environment, upon first approaching the department, that it had no funds to carry out assessments for change of use.

‘So I said that we would carry out the assessment, which we have done.

‘They have all the information that they need.

‘In the UK, that’s part of the development process but we have done that for the States.

‘So it’s a question of them making their minds up.’

Mr Kaufman Kent said the brewery was the perfect location for a hotel.

‘It’s in Town and businesses and short-break visitors want to be in Town,’ said the Guernsey resident of 12 years.

‘It’s right between the two business centres, Admiral Park and Town.

‘The location is excellent for visitors to be able to go into Town and get a feeling of where they are.

‘There’s an old saying in property development, ﾓlocation, location, locationﾔ,’ he said.

He said there were two ideal positions for a new hotel in St Peter Port – the former Royal Hotel site and Randall’s Brewery.

‘People’s requirements from hotels have changed. Gone are the days of the bucket-and-spade holiday.’

* Attempts to contact the Environment Department for comment were unsuccessful.