‘Island is running out of suitable land to build on’
Friday 16th September 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Housing minister Dave Jones has said the east coast Belgrave area might be the only option in the future for building social housing despite the difficulty of developing the site. (Picture by Brian Green, 0392651)
Housing minister Dave Jones has said the east coast Belgrave area might be the only option in the future for building social housing despite the difficulty of developing the site. (Picture by Brian Green, 0392651)
GUERNSEY is running out of land that could be used for social housing, according to the Housing minister.
After the Guernsey Housing Association last week submitted its plans to redevelop the former Boys’ Grammar School in Brock Road as 40 houses and flats, Deputy Dave Jones urged planners to approve the proposals.
He expressed his concerns about the limited number of areas to build future developments.
‘The number of sites we have left on the island to build social houses is scarce – at the moment it is very difficult to find any land.
‘Other than Belgrave, which has huge logistical building complications, I am struggling to see where else we could go. Shortage of land means we cannot accommodate huge estates like we have done in the past,’ Deputy Jones said.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Surprise…Surprise…..time for a “Dubai extension”…!!..and include an airport…
Report abuse
It its about time our Politicians got real things are so bad here for accomadation that the NEED not demand for social housing,not only for the narrow definition of eligability used by States Housing will continue to outstrip additional supply as the poverty levels continue to rise. If the poverty level is defined as what is acceptable to the majority that definition applies equally to the quality of housing and this Island sad to say despite the Establishment and Finance industry repeatedly spouting otherwise has betrayed a huge slice of Les Guernesias.
Report abuse
There is still sufficient land but, unfortunately we are not allowed to build on it. The States passed the laws which have created this situation,because, collectively, they cannot see that far ahead.
Report abuse
We don’t need more social housing, they need to get jobs.
Report abuse
Land is in short supply in St Peter port .so why have they not used ALL the land that the old Grand Bouet estate was standing on?
I was told it is going to be used for industrial ..if we are desperate for housing use the land dont give it away!
Report abuse
The message will sink in soon. The only way is UP
Report abuse
Mr G may be right, there is be a need for social housing but there is no need for any local person to be unemployed when we have thousands of foreigners doing jobs they are too lazy to do. I was just in town and saw plenty of workshy individuals drinking their benefits money away as fast as possible. Its a disgrace and a blight on the island. If people are supposedly incapable of work at least pay them in food vouchers rather than beer vouchers.
Report abuse
I agree with Ray.
Increasing the density of population means environmental footprint can be reduced, and a better standard of services offered.
Why not invite suggestions to redevelop St Sampsons harbour with a cycle/light rail link to town. St Sampsons needs some major regeneration.
Report abuse
About time people took the jobs, they pay more then dosh money which should not be given for free. It is easy to make a life of not working especially as you do not have to actually earn it. More housing is probably not needed, just get stiffer with the free loaders who are the main drain on social housing. The demand is only going to increase in this sector as the offspring grow up and a percentage will probably follow the example set. This same issue is everywhere not just Guernsey.
Report abuse
@ Mr G I agree with you wholehearted lets stop bad employers expecting the States to subsidise their employees,introduce a minimum wage say £15 or 16 per hour that reflects the reality here and end immigration and then we won’t ask for social housing. Do you not understand that even the working population here is toast? Roll on party politics and an end to the rubbish trotted out by the haves, (pun intended Lyndon).
Report abuse
What a suprise, as a local purson i am finding it hard to find a first home, thank you very much states of Guernsey and while i am at it i must congratulate you on making this island so over populated
Report abuse
Beanjar, why should we be paying for them at all? Benefits should be for disabled or retired only.
Report abuse
Whether people are working or not they still have to live somewhere.
Its time to fill in Belgrave bay.
Report abuse
The Island ran out of building land many years ago; they started cramming houses into all sorts of places thereafter. Guernsey is getting to look like a rats’ nest.
Land reclamation is the only way to go now but the selfish few still have too loud a voice!
Report abuse
Where are all these people living at the moment Brian Harper and blogger? If they are living in a building then why are more houses required?
Why should we ruin one of the nicest places in Guernsey, Belgrave bay for social housing? The other option is to restrict immigration further.
Report abuse
Surely the answer to building land is to use the many old vinery sites spread around the Island. Those close to other housing could have homes built on them and the sites that are in less populated areas be used for light industry. That way no other land is taken away from the Island and no ones present enviromental position is put at risk. New housing and light industry must be better for the Island than the site of all the over grown and sometimes ‘smelly’ as well as rodent infested sites scattered around most of the Island.
Report abuse
Land reclaiming is not the way to go it is an easy option.
If you look at where they wanted it .this is the best view we can offer anyone .
There are other places around the island they would be better suited.
Leave the sea front as it is
we have thousands of visitors on cruise ships per year that come here .This would certainly alter the outlook.
The best place to sit and watch the world go by is along the east coast .. don’t ruin it for greed
If we have to use land look again at old vinery site .these can be reused but do not go higher .
please do not ruin our homeland
The worse ones they ever built was Cor de Par flats.Hopefully these will be demolished and a not so tall multi storey car park put there instead.
As for population, limit those who come in to stay .make those who wont work get off their bums and do a days work .
Then you wont need to bring in these worker who work for a pittance and seem to stay here un notice for 20 .30 years
Report abuse
There is not a housing problem in Guernsey.
There is a population problem.
How soon will it be till we end up like Monaco,
Hong Kong, or Manhattan?
Report abuse
I thought that the days of large estates of social housing has beem found not to work and if The Housing authority stopped giving housing to single women who have children just to get housing then the number on the list would probably disappear overnight.
The trouble is that they`ve set a precident and are now struggling to get out of it.
There are plenty of old greenhouse sites that you could squeeze 50 or 60 flats into and Belgreve must be able to fit 2 or 300 houses and flats in. If we need better services and access to these sites then do it.
Report abuse
Fill in Belle Greve is the only real option. All the eastern sea front and Bulwer is infill our forefathers werent to worried about the occasional winkle. (remember the out cry a few years ago )
The reclaimed land could still be a great view with parks and plantings and not high density housing plus a road direct from town to St. Sampsons along the new shoreline. It would probably need help from private enterprise to fund it but as our States are afraid of making any long term decisions it wont happen
Report abuse
If people are aware that the States are running out of suitable land to build on, why are both they and the people who need the housing exacerbating the problem by continuing selfishly and foolishly to reproduce limitless numbers of children?
It’s a real shame that our politicians are not bold enough to suggest birth control or even to encourage a reduction in childbirth by cutting family oriented benefits and making people think about the consequences of their ruinous actions.
Report abuse
lets be like china 2 kids per family
Report abuse
I know several growers that have glass houses and have left them in an appalling state. Deliberately. They want the “eye sore” site’s to be given planning permission, providing a nice little pension pot. It would be interesting to know how many states members would benefit from permission being given to build on these sites, and which members would benefit because they are linked to development companies.
Report abuse
Menwhile planning is refused for a floating restaurant……..
Go figure!
Report abuse
When we take over your rock we will send Dandara over
they will find places to build.
Report abuse
Throw them in the quarries and then that will get rid of the people and fill in the quarries
Report abuse
I think knocking down the old boys grammar school to build homes is a bad idea as it is currently used for many courses that the college of further education run and other events such as judo clubs. We need to support our current population with facilities like this and i feel if we get rid of them we will encourage more population growth and these people will have a worse quality of life. Rather then build new homes we need to tackle the root of the problem which is there are too many people living on Guernsey!
Report abuse
Mr G- there are plenty of nice places in Guernsey but Belgrave bay is certainly not one of them, it is an eyesore.
Report abuse
blogger
I like it.
Report abuse
Belgrave Bay is interesting in many ways and absorbs the tidal flow of the Littel Russel from reading previous information on the area. So filling it in is not that straight foward and without dealing with the underlying issue of birth control (or lack of it) there is never going to be enough space.
This is a global issue which is being felt first in areas that are pinched by either lack of space, or lack of food and water or both.
Report abuse
If you think lack of land to build on is bad, Mr Jones…
just wait until the predicted worldwide ‘lack of food’ crisis comes to the fore, and whilst we’ve concreted over every piece of this island’s fantastic soil and land (that could have been used for growing and agriculture) so that everyone can happily live the apparent ‘dream’ of having their ‘own’ (states funded) home…
no one can afford to feed themselves, and we’re paying a tenner for a bag of imported spuds.
Report abuse
Seems like there are plenty of places to build in the parishes that are not St Sampsons/St Peter Port/Vale, maybe time to move the cement mixers up to the “upper” area’s ?
Report abuse
Jon Jon:
What on earth would be the point of filling in Belle Greve Bay to create space for ‘parks and plantings’? The article is about the need for land for buildings. Fill in the Bay, and it would be for dense building and would in no way improve the eastern sea front in my opinion. We need to be cleverer with the urban spaces we already have. St Sampsons needs some regeneration which should be primarily for residential buildings with excellent public transport links to St Peter Port.
Report abuse
I heard that climate expert chap on the radio this am talking about the rising sea levels.
If this latest genius idea goes ahead, I am not concerned not one whit about this, as I know that our States will, as usual, have planned well ahead and built a suitable strategy to deal with this into their plan……………..
like, free canoes and water wings for all, or perhaps the prerequisite that all qualifying residents must have webbed feet.
Report abuse