Guernsey Property and Construction / Issue 7 by Rock and Small

Autumn 2021

Issue 7

GUE R N SE Y

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION Restoring an icon Rotary celebrates its centenary by rebuilding Saumarez Park’s Japanese pavilion

Shuruuq A new dawn for this St Martin’s property, designed by its architect owner

La Ferme és Frâses Guernsey’s former Strawberry Farm reimagined as a residential development

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INTRODUCTION

EDITOR Tamara Timothy

EDITOR’S LETTER

editor@collaborateci.com

SALES Julie Todd hello@collaborateci.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Anthony Barbapiccola design@collaborateci.com www.collaborateci.com www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

Guernsey Property and Construction is produced by Collaborate CI Ltd. To receive the magazine call 01481 715222 or email hello@collaborateci.com Guernsey Property and Construction is published by Collaborate CI Ltd. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited. Guernsey Property and Construction contains editorial content from external contributors which does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers and the factual accuracy of which cannot be guaranteed by the publishers. Guernsey Property and Construction does not accept or respond to unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The publishers do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or third party offers.

Cover photo by Pierre Bisson

elcome to the autumn edition of the Guernsey Property and Construction magazine.

This summer, and indeed this year, has been unparalleled in the challenges it has thrown at the industry. From islandwide lockdowns to building material shortages and, of course, a booming property market that has brought its own issues for those in the sector. While we recognise those challenges, we also want to celebrate the successes that many firms and individuals have achieved in overcoming those obstacles. One way we do that is through the Guernsey Property and Construction awards, which return in November after a hiatus last year. Nominations have now closed for this year’s awards, but you can find out all about the categories, judges and, of course, the all-important gala evening on page 12.

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

While you will need to wait until November to discover the winners of the awards, in these pages we are able to mark islanders’ achievements now.

now welcoming their new residents and providing much needed family accommodation in the rural area. Elsewhere, a very special family home is our cover story for this issue. ‘Shuruuq’ means sunrise in Arabic, and you can find out the inspiration behind the name and the design from architect and owner, Annalisa Spencer, on page 18. Another building seeing a fresh start, albeit on a smaller scale, is the Japanese Fishing Pavilion at Saumarez Park. Having fallen into disrepair and been closed to the public, it has now been restored to its former glory thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club of Guernsey and Pauls Joinery. We speak to those involved with rebuilding the iconic local landmark on page 56. Along with those features, in these pages you’ll find our usual mix of interviews, industry news and design inspiration. If you have any feedback on the magazine, please do get in touch, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Tamara Timothy Editor

The redevelopment of the former Strawberry Farm to an exclusive housing complex is one such success story for developer, the Fuller Group. Following many years of planning for the site – the houses at La Ferme és Frâses are

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 7 04 La Ferme és Frâses It’s been a long journey to turn the former Strawberry Farm into an exclusive housing development – we spoke to those involved

12 Guernsey Property and Construction Awards

Nominations have now closed for this year’s awards and we have all the details on the event, along with an introduction to this year’s host, Will Green

14 Industry News From what’s happening to who’s working where – we round up all the local property and construction industry news

18 Shuruuq Local architect Annalisa Spencer has converted a rundown bungalow on the south coast cliffs into her stunning family home

25 Legal From commercial contracts to dealing with conflict, our industry experts look at the legal implications of construction projects

35 Kitchens & Bathrooms

From current trends to how the pandemic has affected how we use our homes, the expert opinion in this feature will offer plenty of inspiration

42 Industry Profile Plumber Koen Le Prevost was recently named the Guernsey College of Further Education’s apprentice of the year – he tells us about his role

44 St Saviour’s Treatment Works Guernsey Water’s £2.5million redevelopment of its St Saviour’s facility – discover why going back to an old system is the new solution

46 Royal Guernsey Golf Club Balancing the club’s rich history with a comfortable, contemporary feel was the brief for interior designer Anne Langlois

56 Saumarez Park Pavilion

The Japanese Fishing Pavilion is an island landmark, which had fallen into disrepair until charity and industry worked together to restore it to its former glory

59 Island Operative Apprenticeship All the details about the new apprenticeship on offer at the Guernsey College of Further Education from September

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

LA FERME ÉS FRÂSES It’s been many years since the former Strawberry Farm site was a thriving tourist attraction, but a new development of five contemporary homes has breathed new life into this quiet part of St Saviour’s. A charming mix of modern and agricultural-influenced design, set in the rural landscape, the houses were immediately popular with purchasers, who are now moving into their new homes.

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

Developers the Fuller Group bought the site back in 2005, with ambitions to reimagine it as a commercial tourist attraction. The then tenant left in 2008, and planning difficulties along with commercial considerations meant that no progress was made for many years, with the site becoming ever more derelict. New planning laws that were introduced in 2016 allowed the Fuller Group to pursue a change of use for the site and by 2019 full planning permission was in place for the new housing development. While the change in planning laws allowed the project to proceed, developer Alex Fuller still faced plenty of restrictions with the site: “We were only allowed to build on the footprint of the old building, which was a steel framed permanent building as opposed to the glasshouses, which planners regard as temporary buildings. So we used the volume and square footage that we were allowed to its very limit. The two end houses are now benefiting from additional extensions, but permission for those needed to be applied for by the new owners as we were at our limit as developer. “We’ve fully utilised all the space we can on the site. There is no way we could have built another house here within the current planning laws – if it was possible, we would have done it as there is certainly plenty of demand for houses like this at the moment.”

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FEATURE

of glazing to the west. We also wanted to respect the interface between the houses, so we’ve used a longhouse layout where you enter into the house from the side but the principal aspects are to the front and rear rather than out towards the neighbours.” Internally, the five houses are a mix of three and four-bedroom properties, with the homes on each end benefiting from a larger footprint. Large open plan living spaces along with high-quality kitchens and bathrooms and considered storage solutions were designed to add to their appeal. The houses have different layouts to each other to ensure they have their own identity within the development. It is the first new-build project the Fuller Group has undertaken, as previous developments have seen the Group convert existing historic buildings such as One High Street and The Villa on the Grange into high-end apartments. But for Alex, it was simply a case of taking the same approach to the project: “I think it’s crucial to ensure you have

Those restrictions also had a major impact on the design of the properties. To fit within the footprint of the former building, a ‘street’ design was necessary – placing the five houses next to each other in a row. For the architect, Annalisa Spencer of Lovell Ozanne, the site still offered plenty of scope for creativity: “When it came to the design of the houses, we wanted to reference an agricultural style to fit with the rural setting, but also have a very contemporary feel. We’ve used traditional materials such as wood and metal which reference the rural character of the site and surrounding area, but in a modern way. I’d describe it as

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a contemporary agricultural style, with the houses having almost a barn-like feel to them. The zinc roofs and timber cladding work really well together, while the metal gutters and downpipes continue the rural references.” Annalisa’s design also aims to maximise the beauty of the rural setting for the new homeowners: “The footprint of the site was pre-determined, but in fact the layout gave us the opportunity to have large glazed gables with few issues regarding the houses overlooking the neighbouring properties. So the living spaces and master bedrooms all benefit from these lovely expansive areas

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

a really good quality product, with attention paid to every detail the whole way through the process – from the build quality to the finishes. We’ve done a lot of our projects during recessions but have had no problems selling them, and if you can sell during times like that, you know you have a good product. That’s obviously not the case at the moment, and we could have sold these houses many times over.” While plenty of attention has been paid to the fixtures, fittings and the finishes, the developers say the quality of the build has been just as much of a priority. The main contractor on the project, Hillstone, is headed up by Simon Holland, who has had to guide the project through the pandemic and its myriad effects

THE NEW HOUSES ACTUALLY SIT WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE PREVIOUS BUILDING SO THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH CROSSING ITS FOUNDATIONS.

on the construction industry. But even before Covid hit, the site had provided its challenges: “When we started working on the site, our first job was to demolish the previous structure. Usually when we take buildings

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down, our concern is that they will collapse – in fact, with this we had the opposite problem. The old structure was very light and almost acted like a big sail, so it had been anchored into the ground with huge concrete lumps.

FEATURE

“When we took the building down, we needed to dig out that large amount of concrete to check that the ground underneath was solid. It turned out that it was fine, so we ended up filling the holes with concrete again. The new houses actually sit within the footprint of the previous building so there were no issues with crossing its foundations.” With the foundations for the new development secure, work could start on the houses themselves. For Simon, it was a fundamentally straightforward build, albeit with a demand for a good quality end product: “The houses were relatively simply structures, there was no need to start building basements or cellars or any other aspects that can cause issues. We used concrete floor slabs with fibreglass reinforcement, and cavity block work construction. The block and beam floors give

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the floors a very solid structure, along with excellent levels of insulation, airtightness and sound.

lockdown periods to forward plan as much as possible. The first lockdown we did a lot of forward ordering as we anticipated the material shortages that would occur. We did end up facing issues with the wooden cladding that we needed but nothing that caused too serious a delay.

“While the cladding to the exterior and the zinc roofs certainly add plenty of interest to the appearance of the house, they didn’t pose any problems when it came to the construction of the house, and the work progressed without any real difficulties.” What did cause issues, as with most recent building projects, was the onset of Covid in early 2020. The demolition on-site had taken place around Easter 2019, with construction work starting that May, so the project was well under way when the first lockdown occurred. For Simon, it was an issue they dealt with as best they could: “We suffered with it in the same was as everyone else as we couldn’t get anybody on site for many weeks. But we used both

“One of the main problems has actually been the cost of materials rather than shortages. For those items that we couldn’t hold in stock or forward purchase, we’ve seen large price increases – in some specialist cases up to a 25-30% increase, which is significant on any project.” THE RURAL LANDSCAPE AROUND THE PROPERTIES, COMBINED WITH THEIR CONTEMPORARY BARN FEEL, MEANS THE ENVIRONMENT IS NEVER FAR FROM MIND

The impact of lockdown saw the project extend from its initial yearand-a-half timescale, but it was something Alex said he simply had to accept: “It has taken a long time, it’s now been two years since we started the project. It was quite a

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FEATURE

THE CONTRACTORS • Hillstone Ltd • Lovell Ozanne • Sexton Green • Sarnia Roofing • WT Partnership • Dorey Lyle & Ashman • Transform • Dave Brooks • Bonsai • Channel Island Ceramics • Bailiwick Windows • Pauls Joinery • Stainless Steel Fabrications • R&H Plant • Haulage Services Ltd • Channel Seaways

generous programme originally at 18 months, so we’re finishing six months over schedule. Considering the circumstances of the past year, I don’t think that’s too bad, but we’re still very pleased to see it finished.” The rural landscape around the properties, combined with their contemporary barn feel, means the environment is never far from mind when it comes to these houses. For Alex, it was something he considered with the development: “We are concerned about our environmental impact and do our best to minimise it. It’s very hard with a development project to install things like renewable energy as the incentives aren’t there, although I hope that will change in the future. In my mind,

Guernsey Property and Construction

THOUGHTFUL DEVELOPMENT HAS MEANT THAT THERE ARE NOW FIVE LOVELY HOMES IN A DESIRABLE PART OF THE ISLAND AND THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING AREA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAINED.

the money is best spent on the quality of the build to ensure that there is little loss of heat etc. We have also installed electric boilers which should ensure the houses are efficient to run.”

so too has the outside. The landscaping of the scheme has been an important aspect, with a positive biodiversity approach ensuring it respects the natural environment.

When Simon came to check the houses at the end of the project, he said the results spoke for themselves: “The pressure rating results were very good on these houses – at around two compared with a building regulations pass rate of 10. With the big windows it’s very difficult to get much below that without putting in whole house air circulation. But the build quality means that the houses should stand for 150 years, which is environmentally friendly in itself.”

With the project finished, the team is delighted with what they’ve achieved. For Annalisa, it’s something that will be of real benefit to the island: “It’s a great example of how the IDP has allowed a redundant site like this be converted into much-needed homes. Thoughtful development has meant that there are now five lovely homes in a desirable part of the island and the rural character of the surrounding area has been successfully maintained. I feel we’ve done justice to the site and that people will enjoy living here, which is really what matters.”

While inside the houses has clearly been carefully considered,

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AWARDS

THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 2021

SPONSORS Gold sponsor

With not long to wait until this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards are held in early November, nominations have closed and judging has commenced. Silver sponsors

This year, the awards organisers have seen a record number of nominations submitted via the public nomination process, which closed on 27 August. Now, the judges have the challenge of sorting through the wide range of deserving candidates to create the shortlist in each category, and then decide on an overall winner. The nine categories have seen many firms and individuals across the industry have their work recognised by their clients and peers. But there can only be one winner in each category, and they will be announced at the gala evening in November. For more information on the awards, including previous winners, visit www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

THE CATEGORIES FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARDS ARE: Rising star

THE JUDGES An impartial panel of industry experts judge the awards, shortlisting the nominations and deciding on the overall winner. This year, the panel includes: Martyn Baudains Partner and property lawyer at Ogier

Engineering project of the year Construction professional of the year Industry supplier of the year Property professional of the year Landscape project of the year Best construction project under £300k Best construction project over £300k Lifetime achievement award

THE GALA EVENING When | Thursday 4 November Where | St Pierre Park Hotel What | Arrival drinks, three-course meal with coffee, entertainment and the awards ceremony Cost | Tickets are £75 each (£750 for a table of 10) Booking | Email hello@collaborateci.com to reserve your seats

Guernsey Property and Construction

John Bampkin Chair of the Guernsey Construction Forum and CEO of the Norman Piette Group Tony Rowbotham Managing director of Savills Paul Le Tissier Representing the Guernsey branch of the Chartered Institute of Building John Litchfield Managing director of Channel Island Ceramics Mark Farey Managing director of HVC Sandra Robinson Managing director of Sandra Robinson Kitchens Jon Sheppard Managing director of Sheppards Estate Agents

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

MEET YOUR HOST … The host for this year’s awards is well-known local media personality, and business editor of the Guernsey Press, Will Green. We spoke to him about his thoughts on the industry and the vital role it plays in the island’s economy. Why is Guernsey’s construction industry so important to the island’s economy? Construction is not just about bricks and mortar. It is much more than that. Not only does it provide jobs, it also helps power the wider economy. Think Admiral Park, for example, providing fit for purpose office accommodation for the critical finance sector. Think too the Premier Inn development which should play a vital part in attracting visitors to our shores. More than that even, it provides homes for our families. The local property market has had an interesting time recently, with prices increasing rapidly. What’s your take on that? It is likely to be due to a combination of factors, including: • Historically low interest rates; • Accumulated savings through the pandemic – e.g. discretionary spending that might have gone on other things is funnelled into houses; • Possibility of mismatch between availability and demand; and • There is also a flipside, for example, that you might only be able to access low interest rates with sufficient savings / help from family if trying to get on the property ladder - although lenders have recognised this is an issue.

As business editor at the Guernsey Press, and a keen follower of politics, is there anything you feel that could be done by the States to support Guernsey’s property and construction sectors? One recurring perception of concern is the planning system - is it functioning effectively? What could be done to improve it, while balancing our environmental and social concerns? The States could consider stimulating spending by investing government funds into the regeneration and redevelopment of certain areas of the island. Leale’s Yard, for example, is a clear opportunity that could be taken advantage of. Infrastructure investment is an obvious answer. The island has had a lack of capital spending on projects for a number of years – there are now plenty in the pipeline, but putting those into action would clearly benefit the industry. Finally, with a skills shortage welldocumented, supporting training and vocational skills would be positive action for the States. Why are professional awards events, such as these, so important? Award events are an opportunity to showcase the incredible work of industry and I think giving people a pat on the back for their achievements is also a good thing to do. Importantly, I believe that having this type of recognition available to the industry can also help inspire and spread good practice.

BIOGRAPHY

WILL GREEN Will has been a journalist for 20 years, with a career that has taken him from the corridors of Number 10 and the Houses of Parliament as a political editor, to planes, trains and automobiles as a transport correspondent, to helicopters flying over Bosnia, terrorism stories and more. Now business editor at the Guernsey Press and editor of Business Brief magazine, Will covers the whole range of stories affecting business in the island and further afield. His expertise also lends itself to coverage of major political issues such as Brexit, tax and more.

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

Guy Hands buys into Oatlands Village In 2015, Mr Coles and Bailiwick formed F B Limited, a joint venture to purchase the six-acre site, and since then there has been a significant investment into the facilities. Now Mr Hands has joined them as shareholders, which will allow further improvements to be made.

Guy Hands has invested into Oatlands Village and now owns a third of parent company, F B Limited, alongside Chris Coles and Bailiwick Investments Limited.

“Oatlands has changed so much and is now a successful, thriving and popular destination for locals and visitors. Over the last five years we have built Oaty & Joey’s, which is one of the UK’s largest playbarns and possibly the only one in the world with a real aircraft, G-Joey, suspended from the ceiling, added trampolines, e-cars, a bowling alley, the island’s first drive-thru, and we have just finished upgrading the crazy golf course to 32

holes. We have also constructed new toilets and we have new tenants in a toy shop and a beauty salon,” said Mr Coles. F B Limited is one part of the Bailiwick Investment Limited portfolio. Chairman Sir Geoffrey Rowland said: “Guy’s business acumen and achievements are well documented, and I have no doubt that he will bring a different perspective to F B Limited which will contribute to the continued success of Oatlands Village. There are some great things planned for the future which we know will be welcomed by islanders and visitors alike who will continue to be huge supporters of Oatlands Village.”

States asked to continue on-island quarrying Les Vardes Quarry has provided for the bulk demand of aggregate since 1961 but reserves that can be easily extracted are expected to be exhausted by the end of 2023. There are no other economically recoverable reserves of stone within the island other than at Chouet headland. The options are therefore to quarry there or move towards importing all necessary materials.

The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure is recommending that quarrying aggregate on-island continues by using the reserves available at Chouet headland.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, said: “My committee has been faced with a very challenging decision. It takes its responsibilities for both the environment and infrastructure aspects of its mandate seriously, so it has been difficult

to determine the most appropriate balance between the long-term construction needs of the island, the increased infrastructure burden and cost to residents if material is imported, the localised environmental impact of quarrying and the additional carbon emissions from importation, for example. However, the States must choose one of the two options, because without a continued supply of aggregate, construction in Guernsey would stop.” By proceeding with this option, it is expected that security of supply could be maintained for up to another 35 years, depending on future fluctuations in demand.

The Fuller Group submit revised scheme for Le Grais Having gained permission for the development of five houses in September 2020, the Fuller Group has submitted a revised scheme for the creation of five new-build, sustainable family homes in St Pierre du Bois. The Group says the revised scheme at Le Grais Farm offers a development with greater levels of sustainability, low environmental impact and a reduction in the scale and spread of the buildings that currently exist. The proposal offers a 50% reduction in the building volume and doubles the area of green space and planting, including extensive landscaping with native varieties at the boundaries.

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The footprint of the houses has been contained within the same area as the approved conversion scheme. Architects DLM have designed the scheme. They say the design of the new homes will be high quality with contemporary features and detailing using natural materials in keeping with the rural area such as timber cladding, artisan brick, lime render and green roofs. If planning approval is obtained, development is due to commence later this year with completion by mid-2023.

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

D2 Real Estate expands in Guernsey

Guernsey property sales record

D2 Real Estate has added Charlie Davies (pictured) to its expanding Guernsey team. Charlie studied Sports and Exercise Science at Exeter University and worked with development firm HHC Ltd after graduating. He is now studying for an MSc in Real Estate Finance and Investment and, with D2RE’s support, will work towards becoming a Chartered Member of RICS.

Managing director of D2RE’s Guernsey office, Alex Titheridge, said: “Growing our Guernsey office has been a real focus for us this year and we’re delighted Charlie has joined us. It has been a very busy time for the transactional and valuation side of the business and it’s important to bring in motivated people to provide the necessary support to the team.

Alongside his role at D2RE, Charlie has been signed by the Guernsey Raiders rugby club. He has previously played for Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby and is expected to make a valuable contribution to both D2RE and the Raiders.

“Charlie’s arrival comes after our recent expansion in Jersey where we’ve recently added three new members of staff. We also have some significant investments under offer in Guernsey which we look forward to concluding and announcing soon.”

The second quarter of 2021 saw more houses sold in Guernsey than in any other since records began. 297 local market transactions took place between April and June, 130 more than the previous quarter and 156 more than the same quarter of 2020. Both of those periods were affected by Covid-19 related restrictions.

is a measure of the value of the sales, not a reflection of the values of individual properties.

The mix adjusted average purchase price for local market properties was £505,579 in the second quarter of 2021, 0.8% lower than the previous quarter and 9.9% higher than the second quarter of 2020. The mix adjusted price

The raw median price (realty only) of the 35 open market transactions in the period was £1,228,500. Local market director at estate agent Swoffers, Andre Austin, said: “The market remains strong, and the challenge continues to be available stock. We’ve seen a particularly high number of high-end, £1m-plus sales on the local market in Q2, which reflects confidence in the market and the economy.”

CCD and Oliver Westgarth announce de-merger

CCD Architects has been de-merged into two specialised practices, following managing director Andrew Dyke’s announcement of his intention to retire in the near future. The firm was established 40 years ago as Cresswell, Cuttle & Dyke Limited. CCD has a long-established reputation for historic building and conservation projects, but also for exciting contemporary architecture and design.

Oliver Westgarth (pictured left), CCD’s design director for the last 10 years, said: “CCD has always covered a very wide spectrum of surveying and architectural practice; church spires to ‘glass boxes’, and everything in between. This has been a very positive way for us to work, with expertise in one area feeding the other, and we have seen great benefit from the melting pot - however over the years it has become increasingly hard to explain the full breadth of our service, especially in marketing and branding terms.” Now the design side of CCD has been relaunched as StudiO - Architecture & Design, headed up by Oliver. He will be supported by his long-standing senior team, including Ben Hewlett, Chris Martel and Amelia Brown. CCD will retain the remainder of their established team and build upon their

reputation for high-quality architectural conservation, repair and design work on historic and traditional buildings, rebranding as CCD Architects, Surveyors & Heritage Consultants. The island’s first specialist conservation consultancy, the practice will be led by Stuart Pearce (pictured right), supported by his senior team of Esther Male and Laura Sebire. Stuart said: “This is an exciting time for all of us, it will provide opportunity for each company to focus on our individual strengths and passions. CCD has an established and valued client-base who are custodians of some of Guernsey’s finest historic buildings. We hope to continue and add to these relationships whilst developing our professional services and sharing our wealth of experience for the continued benefit of Guernsey’s built heritage.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

New project manager for Ravenscroft A new project manager has been appointed by Ravenscroft to oversee the property interests of the funds it manages. Ellie Knowelden (pictured) has joined Ravenscroft Project Management Limited after 16 years at Specsavers. “Joining Ravenscroft is a real change for me as the products are now buildings and development sites. I have years of experience managing projects and am looking forward to using that to support Ravenscroft and the funds it manages,” she said. Miss Knowelden will focus on the properties and development sites owned by the Channel Islands Property Fund and the RED fund. She added, “The properties are tangible to the local community, they are places

where people live and work and which make up part of the islands’ landscapes, so it is exciting to be part of that continued growth and development.” Andy Taylor, head of real estate at Ravenscroft, said that Ellie was a welcome addition to the team, “CIPF has 13 properties within its portfolio across Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man and RED fund has a number of sites in Guernsey and Jersey which are planned for redevelopment and so we needed additional expertise to help project manage those. Ellie has already shown that she has an excellent understanding of property and construction and I’m delighted she has joined the team.”

New managing director at RG Falla Paul Mason (pictured) has moved into the managing director role at RG Falla Ltd, the Guernsey construction arm of the Garenne Group. Previously the construction director at the firm, he has replaced Mark Palfrey as managing director, following Mark’s retirement this summer after five years in the role.

Paul has worked for RG Falla since 1992 and has led the construction team on a wide range of notable island projects, including the Grammar School Sixth Form Centre, the Garenne Stand, the Generali (now Utmost) office building and the Ladies’ College. Paul is currently president of the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association.

D&PA removes planning requirement for smaller housing sites The Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) has removed the requirement for Development Frameworks for smaller housing proposals of less than 20 dwellings in the main centres and main centre outer areas and less than 10 dwellings in local centres. The Authority says this will remove a step in the process for smaller, less complex sites and achieve a more streamlined planning service while freeing up resources.

D&PA President, Deputy Victoria Oliver (pictured), said: “I am really pleased that the Committee has been able to act swiftly after listening to the feedback we have received from industry. Our evidence concluded that for smaller housing sites the benefits of Development Frameworks can generally be achieved through the planning application process and the public will still be able to comment on or object to any given application.

The Island Development Plan (IDP) requires Development Frameworks to be approved for certain sites to guide developers and other interested parties when considering development within certain areas or in particular circumstances. The purpose of a Development Framework is to provide a clear interpretation of IDP policies and the opportunities and expectations for a site or area to guide the development.

“By increasing the thresholds as we have this will reduce the burden on developers, get proposed housing developments to site more quickly and free up resources within the States. We will still ensure that appropriate consultation with the community takes place through the planning application process.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

Appointments and promotion at Skipton The Guernsey-headquartered bank has appointed Katy Chauval (pictured left) as business analyst, Louie Taylor (pictured middle) as application support developer, Kady Hills (pictured right) as customer services representative and Carla Cooper as mortgage administrator. Carla is based at the bank’s mortgage centre in Jersey.

Skipton International has made a series of new appointments as well as one promotion.

In addition, Dom De Carteret has been promoted to Senior Banking Administrator. Louie Taylor said: “It’s been fantastic getting to know my new colleagues, who have been warm and welcoming. Skipton has an enviable reputation locally as a great place to work and

I have always admired its commitment to the local community. I am delighted to join at a time of real expansion and growth.” Skipton’s managing director, Jim Coupe, said: “Our recruits are already proving to be valuable assets to the company and it is really encouraging that we have been able to appoint such talented individuals to Skipton, in addition to promoting Dom. “We value ambition, capability and commitment and we are extremely proud to welcome the new joiners to the Skipton family.”

T&G appoints senior engineer Gulf Region, where he held progressively senior engineering and project management positions. Among the well-known developments he worked on there were the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab and The W Hotel and Residences on The Palm. His roles included appointments as projects director, director of design and construction and as managing partner of Hepher Project Management. T&G Structural Engineers has appointed Andrew Turner to its newly-created role of Guernsey-based senior engineer. Andrew (pictured) has joined the company following a lengthy period working in the

“Working abroad presented remarkable opportunities to gain a breadth of experience through involvement in complex commercial and leisure developments and challenging construction projects,” said Andrew.

“Being involved in such prestigious structures and engaging with exceptional clients and colleagues added to the rewarding experience. But I was ready for a return closer to home and a new challenge.” T&G’s managing director in Guernsey, Gary Bougourd, said: “It’s our pleasure to have Andrew join the Guernsey office. He brings a wealth of real-world experience and skills into the team at an exciting time for the company. We and our local clients are already seeing the benefits of working more closely with T&G colleagues in Jersey. Andrew will help secure the initial advantages and support building the company’s presence and capabilities into the future.”

Sponsorship deal secures Superstars classes The new multisport classes were launched in March this year for children with additional and complex needs. The initial pilot project was made possible by a grant from the Health Improvement Commission and, having proved to be a success, the new sponsorship deal with Wheeler Developments means that the LC Superstars project can continue to grow and develop.

Local property firm Wheeler Developments has stepped up with sponsorship to secure Little Champs Superstars classes for the next 12 months.

Laurel Le Tocq, Little Champs business owner, said: “The Superstars classes are really special to me. I am so grateful to the Health Improvement Commission for taking a leap of faith and giving us the initial grant for the pilot project. It means that I have now been able to prove how essential the classes are and

it is amazing to know that we now have the backing of Wheeler Developments – a local, family, community-minded business - to take us through the next 12 months.” James Ridout, director at Wheeler Developments, added: “As soon as we heard of the opportunity to support Laurel in ensuring LC Superstars can continue, we wanted to be involved. As an established local company, Laurel’s efforts hit right with our core values and we could not be prouder to sponsor the Little Champs Superstars for the coming year. We have witnessed first-hand how brilliant the Little Champs classes can be for kids and we look forward to seeing more children benefit from them.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

SHURUUQ

When local architect Annalisa Spencer returned to Guernsey after many years away, she knew that she wanted to build a home for her and her family. It’s been a long journey, but with Shuruuq finally complete, the family has moved in to enjoy its spectacular location.

Guernsey Property and Construction

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

In 2015, Annalisa and her husband Justin bought the site Shuruuq now sits on – a stunning clifftop plot which had a dated and poorly built bungalow wasting its potential. Architect Annalisa knew from the start they would be making some major adaptations to the house for it to suit the family’s needs, but as time progressed she said the scale of the project became clear.

In addition, during the time they’d spent in the house, Annalisa and her husband had concluded it wasn’t in quite the right place on the plot, so the rebuild would allow them to slightly shift its position. With planning permission granted for the new design, the family moved out of the house at the end of 2019 so the old building could be demolished and construction work could start.

“We lived in the previous house for about four years, which meant that we really got to know the site and the property. Over that period, it became obvious that a total rebuild was required. We were looking to extend and adapt the original house and considered a number of options before coming to the conclusion that there was little benefit in trying to retain, and be constrained by, the existing building fabric.”

As an architect, it is unsurprising that designing her family home was a true passion project for Annalisa, and she had plenty of inspiration for her work.

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“Although there was no inspiration from the previous building on the plot, the location certainly led the design. As a new build house, I wanted it be contemporary but I also wanted to use natural materials to soften the brutality that can come with modern design. The use of

wood and stone is key with this house – we’ve used western red cedar cladding which will render naturally over time and Purbeck stone around the lower floors. It’s a very natural palette for the house, which will allow it to weather over the years and allow the house to settle in to the landscape.”

ALONG WITH ITS STUNNING DESIGN, THE LOCATION OF THE HOUSE IS UNDOUBTEDLY ITS MAJOR DRAW – AND THE VIEWS WERE SOMETHING ANNALISA AND HER HUSBAND WERE DETERMINED TO MAKE THE MOST OF.

Along with its stunning design, the location of the house is undoubtedly its major draw – and the views were something Annalisa and her husband were determined to make the most of: “It was a very painstaking process. During the years we lived in the house, we changed the design so many times. It’s a south-facing plot and we wanted to make the most of the evening light from the west so we were constantly monitoring where benefited from the best light and the best views. We thought and overthought it, but the resulting

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

THE CONTRACTORS • Lovell Ozanne • RC Ashplant Construction • Davies Associates • Dorey Lyle & Ashman • R K Plumbing & Heating • Paul Phillippe • Sexton Green • Eco-Space • Evolution Construction • DWA • Pauls Joinery • Stainless Steel Fabrications • Channel Island Ceramics • Sarnia Roofing • Vaudin Stonemasons Ltd • UCF Civil Engineering • Haysom Purbeck Stone • Simon Lovell Interiors

design has certainly benefited from the time we spent on it. It’s not a huge plot so it was really important to us that every space had the best possible view.” Contractor Richard Ashplant was responsible for the construction of the house. He said that as the project progressed, that attention to detail was obvious: “When we were building the house, we could really tell that they’d spent a lot of time considering that, as all the sight lines worked out so brilliantly with the views. The design of the house takes such great advantage of them, it’s a lovely spot.” The house’s layout is a mix of the design-led and the functional, but has all been planned to meet the family’s specific needs, as Annalisa explained: “We wanted to make the most of the gradient of the site, so the house is over three levels.

IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE START THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A LOVELY PROJECT, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE DIFFERENT TEXTURES ANNALISA WAS INTRODUCING, SUCH AS THE PURBECK STONE.

On the lower floor there are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room and a wet room leading to a giant boot room, along with an outdoor shower. Creating a new build allowed us to design bespoke storage areas including the boot room which I know is essential given our growing family of boys and all the bikes, boards and other outdoor kit.

“We made sure we worked through all the detail with Annalisa and Justin before we started the project, as we know that a project always progresses more smoothly when the detail is planned out from the beginning. When you are building a client’s dream home, it’s crucial to keep communication on track as well as keeping the project on spec and on budget.”

“Upstairs is the master bedroom with ensuite and dressing area. We also located the kitchen on that top level, with an elevated outlook over the living space and snug. This design means that all the spaces benefit from the views, along with a large wraparound terrace which connects them.”

While Richard and his team were keen to be involved with the project, they were unaware of the challenges that lay ahead: “It was clear from the start that this was going to be a lovely project, particularly in terms of the different textures Annalisa was introducing, such as the Purbeck stone. However, that did lead to certain issues once the events of 2020 began. We were trying to bring in the stone and the larger window units in between the lockdowns.

For Richard, it made the house a more exciting project to work on: “The interesting thing as a contractor was the three split levels of the house. It’s been designed so the two upper levels really take advantage of the view, with the vaulted main living room allowing the views through from the kitchen. There is also a cantilevered corner which allows the view to be kept clear as there is no support post when the large, glazed corner opens up, which required some crucial engineering input.

“We were also due to have specialist stonemasons visit the island to work with the Purbeck stone, but that became impossible as the Covid-related travel restrictions continued so we needed to use local stonemasons instead. It was certainly one of the most challenging areas of the project, but the end result worked out well.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

WHAT’S IN A NAME? The unusual name of the house, Shuruuq, has a very personal relevance to Annalisa and her family. Based on the word for ‘sunrise’ in Arabic, the name reflects both the house’s position and the family’s history. Before their return to Guernsey, Annalisa and her husband had spent five years living in Arabic speaking countries. They wanted their new house to reference that connection – as well as its stunning position on the south coast cliffs. “When we initially moved into the house we knew it was a special location, but the real wow moment was certainly the first sunrise we saw there. Shuruuq, for us, was therefore the perfect name,” said Annalisa. “Our children were born during our time in Qatar so it is an important part of our family’s story. It might be a bit complicated to spell, but for us it’s a lovely reminder of our past while we look forward to our future in our new home.”

Despite the island’s lockdown and the subsequent delays, Richard and his team managed to continue pushing the project forward throughout 2020 and into the following year. The original end date of February 2021 had to be delayed to May, but the house is finally complete and the family is making itself at home. While Annalisa was clearly the creative force behind the project, she said her husband’s input has been just as valuable: “It’s our family home, and it’s caused as much stress for Justin as it has for me, so his input was obviously

Guernsey Property and Construction

really important. I wanted him to be part of the journey and he has been really involved in the design process. In fact, the ideas for how the house works for us are down to Justin, while I took responsibility for the aesthetics and the detailed design. “While I hope the building has a certain presence, it is also very much our family home. So as elegant as I’ve hoped to make the architecture, it is rooted in functionality and fitting the design around our family’s quirks and the way we live.”

WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING A CLIENT’S DREAM HOME, IT’S CRUCIAL TO KEEP COMMUNICATION ON TRACK AS WELL AS KEEPING THE PROJECT ON SPEC AND ON BUDGET

As Annalisa, Justin and their sons settle in to their new home, the hard work is feeling more than worth it: “When we first moved in, it had been a building site for so long that it felt a little like living in somebody else’s house. But now it’s starting to feel like our home. I believe that good design can be appreciated by anyone, perhaps it’s simply the comfortable feeling when you come into a beautfiul space, or an ease in the way in which you live in and use it. That’s what I wanted our house to convey – and when we come home now, that’s how I feel so, for me, the house is a success.”

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

PURBECK STONE

The use of Purbeck stone is a key part of the design of Shuruuq, and one of the standout features of the house. But while it is an unusual material to see in a contemporary Guernsey design, the stone actually has a long history in the island.

IT’S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW A GOOD DESIGN VISION CAN EMPLOY A TRADITIONAL MATERIAL IN A MORE MODERN CONTEXT.

Annalisa sourced the stone for her house from Haysom Purbeck Stone. Manager Mark Haysom said his family history shows that they have been involved in the industry through ten generations, dating back to the 1600s. And the stone’s history in Guernsey is just as established. “There are some medieval examples of Purbeck stone going to Guernsey, but the use of it dates predominantly back to the Napoleonic era. In that time it complemented the use of local Guernsey granite for paving and memorials as it could be split more readily into slabs that could be squared up by hand. Examples of Purbeck stone can actually be found in Castle Cornet and through St Peter Port High Street,” said Mark.

in a more contemporary setting, so we discussed options as to how it could be included to complement a very modern design. After some trials, we ended up supplying cropped walling for the lower section of the house – laid in a way that appeared ‘dry’ like the field walls around Purbeck, with pre-stressed lintels over the openings being clad to the same effect. “Cills were sawn and shaped from a bed of stone called Spangle which contains large oyster shells and the same stone was drawn indoors to make a feature of a raised hearth in the living room. It’s a great example of how a good design vision can employ a traditional material in a more modern context.” For Annalisa, it’s been a huge success as well: “Materiality was so important with this house, and the use of the Purbeck stone ended up being a crucial part of the design. We’re absolutely delighted with it – it’s beautiful but it also adds a really unique character to the building.”

“With that precedent, Annalisa was keen to explore how it could be used

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE... Steel and Glass How to incorporate stunning steel and glass designs into your build

Interiors Trends and decorations for a cosy winter

Wood Matters Carpentry, joiners, flooring, decor

COPY DEADLINE: FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2021

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GUERNSEY

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION

LEGAL MATTERS Whether you’re buying or building, renting or renovating – when it comes to property, it’s crucial to get the legalities right. In this section, our industry experts consider subjects ranging from recent changes in Guernsey law to how to make UK contracts work for local projects.

LEGAL

Certificates of Lawful Use A number of home owners have applied for Certificates of Lawful Use since they were introduced into Guernsey’s planning system in May 2019. Here, Carey Olsen planning law specialist Rachel Jones provides an update on their uptake in the residential market. The effect of a successful application for a Certificate of Lawful Use is to regularise an historic, unlawful change of use of land without having to obtain planning permission.

• A Certificate has been granted for land that was agricultural land but had been used for the required period of time as a driveway and parking ancillary to a dwelling.

An application can be made when the land has been used contrary to its current, lawful planning use continuously for either:

• A Certificate has also been granted in respect of two dwellings that had been used for the required period of time as single dwellings.

• four years from the date the Development and Planning Authority (D&PA) first knew about the change in use (if the D&PA is aware of the unlawful use); or • 10 years from the date of the change from the lawful use to the current unlawful one.

THE GRANTING OF CERTIFICATES MEANS OWNERS MAY ENJOY THE EXISTING USE OF PROPERTIES FREE FROM THE CONCERN OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE D&PA.

22 applications have been decided since the regime was introduced. Of these, 17 have led to Certificates being granted (eight for commercial and nine for residential uses). Those granted for residential purposes have concerned various different uses: • Two have concerned the use of wings of properties. In each case, the wings were part of the main dwelling house and sufficient evidence was submitted by the applicants to demonstrate they had been occupied as independent residential dwellings continuously for more than 10 years. This meant Certificates could be granted certifying the new lawful use of the wings as independent dwellings. • Two have been granted for properties that were self-catering units. These Certificates were granted for two separate sites but together they concerned 17 units. The Certificates certify the new lawful planning use of each of the 17 units as independent residential dwellings. • Two have been granted to regularise the use of land as domestic garden. In each case, the land had been used unlawfully as gardens continuously for the required period of time. • A Certificate has been granted to certify the use of part of a detached building as a single dwelling.

Guernsey Property and Construction

There is an understandable appetite from property owners to use the Certificate of Lawful Use regime to their advantage to formally regularise an unlawful change of use. The granting of Certificates means owners may enjoy the existing use of properties free from the concern of enforcement action by the D&PA. The Certificates also offer additional benefits for homeowners with any wider flexibility in the planning process attaching to the new certified lawful use being extended to the land. For example, regularisation of a former self-catering cottage as a residential dwelling opens up the prospect of a number of permitted developments that householders can carry out to dwellings without the need for permission, such as certain extensions. The Certificates will also be beneficial on selling a property when prospective purchasers routinely apply for an Immunity Certificate, which advises the prospective purchaser of the lawful planning use of the property. It should be noted that in determining an application for a Certificate of Lawful Use, the D&PA requires robust evidence to demonstrate, on a balance of probabilities, that the current use of land has been carried on for the required period of time and throughout that time the use must have been continuous. The onus is on the applicant to submit sufficient evidence to support their application. It is not sufficient to simply provide a letter or statement setting out how the land has been used. Evidence to support the application may include affidavits (legally sworn statements) from the owner and possibly from other people who can corroborate how the land has been used, photographs (if possible dated), historic Digimaps, bills/invoices and any other factual documentary evidence.

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What next for Guernsey’s property market? Ogier’s Guernsey property expert, Advocate Martyn Baudains, considers the factors influencing the local market in both the commercial and residential sectors. No-one can predict the future, and it is foolhardy to try, but after nearly two years of the strangest of times, conversations are taking place among those in the construction and property sectors. We want to know if things are going to be different and, if so, for better or worse. Working from home – here to stay? For some businesses, the shift to the whole office working from home (WFH) was almost seamless, with high-end IT and an ability to pick up a telephone call wherever there was an internet connection. For others, the change to WFH was not so easy. If you were working in cramped conditions, with flaky IT and frequent interruptions, then you may have been glad to return to the office. The willingness, or desire, to work remotely will ultimately affect the demand for office space, and therefore affect the value of those investments.

UNLIKE SOME PLACES, I THINK WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE GOOD DEMAND FOR OFFICE SPACE AND THAT WORKING FROM THE OFFICE WILL BE THE NORM, BUT WE WILL SPEND A BIT MORE TIME WFH.

Immediately after lockdown some office-based businesses, having seen that productivity and efficiency were not adversely affected by homeworking (or may have actually improved), told staff they could continue to work from home if they wanted. As we get further away from the lockdowns, I wonder if some of these businesses may give this further thought - perhaps moving towards a hybrid model of home and office working to enable employees to combine the flexibility of WFH with the advantages of office working, such as closer contact with colleagues and the training and mental health benefits this brings. Other employers have faced even more significant challenges with long-term WFH, both bigger picture and practical, such as data protection, ensuring the health and safety of their employees and setting up workstations, which are more easily managed in an office-based environment. Another important factor for Guernsey businesses is the short commute to the office. For most it will be less than a 20-minute walk, ride or drive to enjoy the company of your fellow workers. I think that

alone will mean that we will see a big difference in the take-up of WFH compared to the UK. Unlike some places, I think we will continue to see good demand for office space and that working from the office will be the norm, but we will spend a bit more time WFH. Residential property – will the boom continue? Without a doubt the residential property sector (both local and open markets) has been busy. So busy there is a lack of property on the market. The lack of choice is making sellers cautious about advertising properties. Somewhat perversely perhaps, those looking to sell are worried that their property will sell too quickly. That will leave them needing to buy something and, with prices high and a lack of properties listed for sale, they are opting to stay put. It also seems that the rental sector is having its own problems, with reports of a lack of rental property and high prices. There was a belief that investors from outside of the island were buying up properties to rent out. We have not seen that at Ogier, though it is quite possible. However, if that was happening in numbers sufficient to reduce the stock of properties for sale, then the lack of rental properties is a puzzle. The reasons for the spike in property sales – a desire for a separate space to WFH, space to live with family for long periods and more outdoor space – will drop away as we return to offices and get further away from the risk of another lockdown. As the world opens up we will see people using more of their income on holidays and other reasons, and less on property. There will be a return to a more normal, steady, residential property market, but with the banks happy to lend and offering some attractive deals, and with high employment, the market should remain active for a while.

Guernsey Property and Construction

LEGAL

Signing up to a new lease in Guernsey Alison Wood and Laura Bougourd of Mourant’s property law team examine the issues to consider when entering into a commercial property lease. As lockdown restrictions have eased, demand for commercial property in Guernsey has shown that, despite the rise in working from home and online shopping, traditional bricks and mortar still has an important part to play in our economic recovery. So what are the issues to consider when granting or taking on a lease in Guernsey?

AS MOST LEASES WILL CONTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ALTERATIONS, A TENANT SHOULD SEEK TO OBTAIN THE LANDLORD’S CONSENT TO PROPOSED ALTERATIONS PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO THE LEASE.

Often a prospective tenant will have a good idea of which premises they wish to occupy. However, before agreeing terms, a landlord and tenant would each be advised to appoint both a commercial property agent, who can provide advice on market conditions as well as the suitability and value of any potential premises, and a lawyer who can work with the agent to assist in the negotiation of the terms at the outset. Once the right premises have been found, certain due diligence investigations are carried out on behalf of the tenant to confirm that there are no restrictions on the permitted use and the condition of the premises. Depending on the extent of the liability the tenant will be taking on under the lease they may also wish to have a survey conducted of the premises and/or to check title.

LEASE TERMS When it comes to the terms of the lease, both parties should carefully consider their requirements. These include areas such as: Term How long should the lease run for? In Guernsey, unlike in England, there is no security of tenure for commercial tenants on the expiry of the lease term and therefore the terms of a new lease are a matter of negotiation between the landlord and tenant. Rent and rent review What is included in the rent? What about rates and taxes? If taking a lease of part of a building it is likely that a service charge will also be payable – have the parties considered what this will cover and how much it is likely to be?

Guernsey Property and Construction

In relation to rent reviews, what is to be the basis of any rent increase? This is also a matter of negotiation as to whether it is a review to market rent and/or in line with the Retail Prices Index. Deposit or guarantor? Landlords are increasingly looking for either a deposit or a guarantor to secure the tenant’s obligations under the lease. Does the tenant have either available, or is the landlord satisfied with the tenant’s financial covenant? Alienation The key way for any tenant to dispose of its interest during a lease is to either assign it or pass on its obligations by way of a sublease. Often these provisions cannot be exercised without the landlord’s consent but the extent of any restrictions should be negotiated. Alterations and rent-free period It is likely that a tenant will want to make alterations to the property before commencing trading, whether it’s to alter the lay-out, put up signs or even install heating or air conditioning units. As most leases will contain restrictions on alterations, a tenant should seek to obtain the landlord’s consent to proposed alterations prior to entering into the lease. The length of any rent-free period for fittingout purposes under the lease should be negotiable between the parties, together with the terms of the yielding up provisions and any licence for alterations to document the terms of the landlord’s consent to the alterations.

CONCLUSION There are key matters for all parties to consider when negotiating and entering into a lease in Guernsey. If these are dealt with at the outset, with advice and assistance from the appropriate professionals, it can prevent time-consuming and costly issues from being uncovered at a later date.

YOUR PROPERTY, OUR BUSINESS. We are Guernsey’s only property law practice dedicated solely to the needs of commercial property developers, owners and occupiers.

Alison Wood

With decades of experience our highly skilled team is focused on providing expert advice and a truly personal service.

Kate Dewsnap

We make your property law needs our business, going the extra mile in genuine partnership with you. Contact us today.

alison.wood@mourant.com +44 (0) 1481 731 451

kate.dewsnap@mourant.com +44 (0) 1481 731 480

Laura Bougourd

laura.bougourd@mourant.com +44 (0) 1481 731 460

LEGAL

Construction contracts and conflict Chartered architect Esther Male of CCD Ltd is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Here she looks at how disputes can be dealt with. Construction projects may have a reputation both for taking longer and costing more than expected. However, this really is far from the truth - people may relish (and embellish!) stories when things do not go quite to plan, but as chartered architects and surveyors at CCD we find that the vast majority of projects are delivered to satisfied clients on time and on budget. As an established practice in the island, celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, we have many repeat clients, as well as consultants and builders with whom we work regularly. It’s a good indication that most building projects achieve the desired end result.

A MEDIATOR WILL ENCOURAGE BOTH PARTIES TO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND TRY TO COME TO A RESOLUTION THAT THEY BOTH CAN LIVE WITH.

However, just as in any other part of life, things are not always rosy in the construction world. It is therefore best at the outset to consider how a problem could be resolved should one rear its ugly head. As chartered architects and surveyors, CCD would normally advise both parties – client and builder – to sign up to a standard form building contract. These have been developed to provide a fair balance for both parties, and can cover all sorts of issues, including how often payment should be made, what happens if awful weather stops building work, and even what happens if the States orders a lockdown! Another important clause in a contract is what to do if something goes wrong, and the parties end up in conflict. This type of clause is included because if the parties are arguing about something it is very unlikely that they will be able to agree on how best to resolve that argument. Far better to have a dispute resolution process set out in advance just in case it becomes necessary. A dispute can be taken to court to be settled, but this can be costly, time-consuming and also public. There are two main types of alternative dispute resolution that are

Guernsey Property and Construction

used in building contracts locally, with these being mediation and arbitration. Essentially, mediation is used to bring to parties together and allow them each to present their side of the story. A mediator will encourage both parties to listen to each other and try to come to a resolution that they both can live with. The mediator does not make any decisions but helps and supports the parties in coming to a settlement. Of course, this may not always work as sometimes the parties just cannot agree. If mediation is undesirable or unsuccessful there are two other routes for settling the dispute – either the matter can go to court for a decision or the parties can refer it to arbitration. Arbitration is generally regarded as being faster and cheaper than using the court system, and also has the benefit of being private between the parties. The decision is final and binding, and therefore brings closure to the matter for both parties. The benefit of including an arbitration clause in a building contract means that, if there is a dispute, either of the parties can automatically ask for an arbitrator to resolve it. Architects and surveyors can advise on inclusion of a dispute resolution clause when construction contracts are being drawn up; at CCD we also offer dispute resolution services for those times when the project does not go as smoothly as hoped. All that may be required is to help the parties have realistic expectations of the scope of work set out in the contract, and understand the other party’s point of view – so often disagreements come about from a lack of clear communication. If this does not resolve matters then mediation or arbitration can be useful options, so it makes sense to consider this at the outset when putting contracts in place and while everyone is on good terms!

CCD CCD 4O Surveyors Architects Architects · ·Surveyors · Heritage Consultants Heritage Consultants

40 years of landmark architecture in Guernsey T 01481 726461 E mail@ccd-architects.com W www.ccd-architects.com

jwrihoy.com

PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY IN CONSTRUCTION.

Rihoy & Son has been a Chartered Building Company since 2001. This status identifies an inherent commitment to quality of service, integrity of conduct and concern for clients’ needs. Only businesses that are led by Chartered Professionals are eligible, an assurance that you will be working with recognised professionals with a commitment to excellence. To find out more visit jwrihoy.com

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

Construction and contracts When undertaking construction projects, it is crucial that expectations are clearly laid out from the outset. In many cases, that need is best met through the use of standardised contracts. Steve Moores, surveying director at Rihoy & Son, explains how his firm ensures all parties have clarity on their roles and responsibilities to ensure a smooth delivery of the project. At Rihoy & Son, we predominantly use the Joint Contracts Tribunal Ltd (JCT) suite of contracts, which are the main recognised contracts for use on construction projects of most types. The contracts are widely used throughout the industry and JCT is recognised as the leader in the field. It has been producing standardised contracts since 1931 and there are many books, papers and guidance notes dealing with every issue that may occur during a building contract and how issues are to be resolved.

THE USE OF THESE CONTRACTS MEANS THAT ALL PARTIES HAVE CLARITY ON THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE A SMOOTH DELIVERY OF THE PROJECT.

There is also extensive case law that can be reviewed, to assist in understanding any potential outcome of an issue. As the contracts are so widely used, professionals within the industry know and, hopefully, understand the JCT ‘rules’. While the contracts are very familiar to us and others in the industry, we do still need to be careful when using them. As a main contractor, there are many areas of the contract that need to be carefully checked by us. These include: the level of insurance cover required, and who is to take out and maintain this insurance (including adjoining properties insurance if required); the level of liquidated damages to be imposed on the contract; and any design responsibilities that are to be met by the contractor. Additionally, any amendments that are made to the standard JCT contract need to be reviewed carefully to ensure that the contractor, employer and any third parties can fulfil the requirements of those amendments and understand their implications. As the JCT contracts are drafted for the UK market, we do need to make some amendments so that they are suitable for use in Guernsey. Our experience in using JCT contracts in the local market means we are able to engage with that ‘Guernsification’. The differences between Guernsey law and that of England are recognised by replacing all references to law of England with law of the island of Guernsey. One major difference is the removal of the adjudication process from the standard contracts, as it does not apply in Guernsey.

Once amended, the contracts are suitable for a very wide range of projects in the island, and our clients should be advised at an early stage by their architect, employer’s agent or project manager on the type that will suit their needs best. Those needs can include the level of specification and design input the client wants to maintain throughout the project, whether they want or need to secure any financial risk prior to commencement, and their general level of involvement during the construction design development. The client needs to consider whether they want to retain total control and risk retention for the project (which means the use of standard JCT contracts) or minimum risk, where the budget and completion dates are key factors and control is handed over to the contractor (which means the use of a JCT design and build contract). Whichever they choose, the use of these contracts means that all parties have clarity on their roles and responsibilities to ensure a smooth delivery of the project.

WHICH JCT CONTRACT SHOULD BE USED? Where there is no design responsibility required by the contractor, either Minor Works Building Contract, Intermediate Building Contract or Standard Building Contract (with or without quantities). Where the contractor is to take on limited design such as mechanical and electrical works, curtain walling etc, we would use either a Minor Works Building Contract with Contractors Design or an Intermediate Building Contract with Contractors Design. Where the contractor carries out both design and construction, a Design and Build Contract would be entered into.

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THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE IS THE GO-TO MAGAZINE FOR ALL THINGS BUILDING, LANDSCAPING AND PROPERTY-RELATED IN THE ISLAND. It covers all aspects of industry-related news, with insightful features from key island construction and property leaders, and analysis of government policy surrounding the real issues that affect Guernsey property, building and construction businesses. Published quarterly and distributed islandwide.

For editorial opportunities Contact Tamara Timothy on 07911 732398 or email editor@collaborateci.com For advertising opportunities email hello@collaborateci.com

TIME TO 2022 A PLAN YOUR DVERTI CAMPA SING IGN!

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS With recent events seeing us spend more time in our houses, the heart of our homes has become more important than ever. From how lockdown life has affected what homeowners are looking for from their kitchens to the current design trends in kitchens and bathrooms, find out our industry experts’ thoughts.

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Outside influences Sandra Robinson, managing director of Sandra Robinson Kitchens and Bathrooms, looks at the trend to merge our indoor and outdoor lives. Over the years, we have seen a well-documented move towards open plan living in our homes – with separate kitchen and dining spaces merging into one area as the hub of the house, often with living space incorporated as well. Bifold doors from those spaces out into gardens have also become a desirable addition as many homeowners look to connect their social and family space with their outdoor areas. Now it seems that many of us are looking to blur the lines of inside versus outside even further. It’s a trend that has certainly been influenced by recent events and the effects of the pandemic. With people spending more time at home, both working and socialising, their outside space has become ever more important.

WITH THAT FOCUS ON THE NATURAL WORLD, IT’S HARDLY SURPRISING THAT MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE THINKING MORE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN THEY MAKE CHOICES FOR THEIR NEW SPACES.

If you walk through a garden centre, gone are the days of a few tables and chairs being on offer alongside a couple of barbeques. Now, there is a wide range and choice of furniture to ensure your garden is as stylish as your home. Alongside the barbeques, fire pits and pizza ovens are becoming more and more popular. As people look to use their outside space for more catering, there is an associated demand for al fresco cooking and entertaining areas, whether as a full outside bar or a simple food preparation area. In our industry, we are seeing that demand being met through new materials and ranges. As a company, we already stocked the mineral based Dekton worktops by Cosentino, an impressive product which can be used as outdoor tiling, cladding and as a worktop surface. But the move to outdoor living has recently seen our supplier Caesarstone come into the market, offering a more affordable alternative with its new dedicated collection of quartz worktops specifically designed for use outside. The neutral contemporary shades on offer mix well with the organic materials often found in garden design, such as slate and wooden decking.

With indoors and outdoors merging, we are seeing more use of colours in kitchen cabinetry that reflect those outside themes. Blue and neutral tones are often a popular choice that work well in both settings, but we are also seeing more people opt for statement greens, which obviously flow through well to the outside. Our supplier, Masterclass Kitchens, offers a super range in those colours, which we are now seeing clients often start to combine rather than limit themselves to just one colour option. Alongside those colour choices, we are now also seeing more demand for metallics and wood accents, again reflecting the connection to nature. With that focus on the natural world, it’s hardly surprising that many homeowners are thinking more about the environment when they make choices for their new spaces. Quooker boiling water taps are an excellent example of this, as they use less energy than a kettle and ensure there is no wasted water. The Quooker range has also now expanded to offer a full system for chilled, filtered, still and sparkling water from a single tap – reducing the carbon footprint of the equivalent bottled water. It is also an excellent accessory for those al fresco parties, ensuring that cold drinks and cocktails can be prepared on tap. Spending time outside is a proven way of improving your quality of life. If that outside space is a well-designed, practical and attractive extension of your indoor space, so much the better. While interior designers often speak of ‘bringing the outside in’, the trend we’re seeing at the moment appears to be ‘bringing the inside out’.

Guernsey Property and Construction

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

The pandemic, sustainability and thinking forward John Litchfield, founder and managing director of Channel Island Ceramics, considers the impact of the Covid pandemic on how we use our homes. The pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives and, besides many unsavoury effects related to health and restrictions, it has been a chance for people to stop and reflect on their surroundings. This not only concerns the immediate surroundings of the home, but also lifestyles, the environment and how work must be balanced with life. These, as a sum, highlight the importance of home – it is not only a sanctuary and a haven from unpredictable events, it has also become increasingly multi-use. Combined with an emphasis on protecting the environment, these are the main themes pushing forward kitchen and bathroom design trends in 2021.

KITCHENS, IN PARTICULAR, ARE CONTINUING TO EVOLVE AND ARE NOW THE MOST MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND USED ROOM OF ANY HOUSE.

Designing rooms that work for people Rooms do not just need to look good, they also need to be functional. Open plan living is a continuing trend and the pandemic has changed the way we live in ways that are set to continue. Remote working, for example, looks like a pattern that will continue as businesses seek to economise on office space and employees seek more flexible working. So what does this mean for our kitchens and bathrooms? Our kitchens and bathrooms will have to work harder than ever, and be adaptable to different uses. Kitchens, in particular, are continuing to evolve and are now the most multifunctional and used room of any house. For this one room, cooking, socialising, eating and working are all now under consideration. With more people using the space, for multiple uses, and the desire for it to be open, designers are finding ways to add subtle features which cleverly partition the various ‘zones’ to allow for flexible use throughout the day. Even hot water taps are increasing in demand as people working at home need quick access to tea and coffee. Bathrooms have long been a space to escape to after a tough day, but we will start to see the importance of home spas to allow us to fully relax and de-stress. Adding a steam function to a shower, removing the enclosure

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altogether or opting for a large luxurious bath, can provide different ways to relax with water. In general people will seek to have more utility for health and wellness than before. The importance of sustainability Sustainability is less of a trend but more an ongoing issue that will be affecting our choices more than ever - we need to know where things come from and ask ourselves if they’re sustainable and what impact they have on the environment. These issues are at the forefront of many consumers’ minds and products are improving to reflect this. Timeless design is more important than ever, along with better quality products that will stand up to a longer use. In kitchens, fridge and freezer capacity will increase to allow for greater storage of food, with water and ice dispensers deemed essential in order to reduce our plastic consumption and encourage a healthier lifestyle. Likewise, pantry and storage spaces are increasing in importance, as well as being able to store glass jars, bottles and Tupperware. For bathrooms, it is not just about saving water, though this is a key issue in improving product design. Sustainable bathrooms are also about the lifespan of the products, the materials used, cleaning that doesn’t use harsh chemicals, and creating a design that lasts. Thinking forward Due to a large majority of the population having to learn to live confined within their own homes over the last year, people have learnt to appreciate details that in our previous lives escaped us, or we simply took less notice of. This is helping to drive the current boom that the construction and home design industries are seeing – people want more from their homes and they want to be at ease in the place where they feel safest. With a forward thinking approach to design, we can satisfy these multifaceted demands, whilst simultaneously working towards a healthier society and planet.

VAT FREE PRICES

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

MAKING METAL WORK Always a common sight in kitchens and bathrooms, metal has shifted from a supporting player to the star of the show in many modern designs. Recent times have seen a trend away from traditional stainless steel towards copper and rose gold finishes – now everything from gold to industrial metal finishes are becoming more common options when choosing your kitchen or bathroom. Looking to keep your room more classic? Accessories such as kitchen stools and bathroom mirrors can be an easy way of reflecting the trend.

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Kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms to suit all budgets www.luxioso.com

To start planning your new dream home speak to us about our fantastic range of options with Kitchens from Davonport, Schuller, Cesar; Bathrooms from Dansani, Laufen, Crosswater; Bedrooms and Bootrooms from Cinquanta3 plus many other great brands. Contact us at info@luxioso.com, call 236684 or visit us in our showroom in St Martins (open Monday - Saturday).

INTERVIEW

INDUSTRY PROFILE:

PLUMBER

KOEN LE PREVOST This year’s apprentice of the year at the Guernsey College of Further Education, Koen Le Prevost, has just finished his plumbing apprenticeship with Alexander Plumbing Ltd. The accolade reflected his success on the course, which he managed to finish a year earlier than expected. He spoke to us about his path into plumbing and where he finds his job satisfaction. 42

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Despite his success so far, Koen Le Prevost’s plumbing career came about somewhat by chance. When he left school, he started working as a fisherman in the waters around Guernsey. But a few years later, helping out on a project at his parents’ house led to a new career path. “My parents were renovating a new house, and Ross [Alexander] is a family connection who I’ve known since I was a child, so he was responsible for the plumbing. The weather at the time wasn’t very good, so I wasn’t out fishing as much as usual. Whenever I had a day off I helped on the house, realised how much I enjoyed it and it went from there.”

At the time, Ross Alexander had only recently set up his namesake plumbing firm. But he was keen to take on an apprentice, and Koen seemed perfectly suited. “I loved fishing, but it was starting to take its toll on my physical health, and I was looking to move to a more stable long-term career. Plumbing seemed a perfect fit, and the apprenticeship was a really good way for me to learn the trade.” Koen started work at the start of that summer three years ago, a few months before his apprenticeship training at the Guernsey College of Further Education began. For him, those early months were crucial in giving him the knowledge and

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confidence to succeed when he started his formal training. “It gave me time to learn the job and the tools of the trade and meant I brought useful experience to the course when I first started. I think it made a real difference in my abilities and confidence when I began the formal studies and allowed me to progress more quickly.” That progress was clear. The plumbing studies apprenticeship usually entails four years of combining work with studying. But Koen’s work ethic saw him manage to condense it to just three. “I picked the practical side of it up fairly easily, and my lecturers allowed me to run with that. They seemed to have the confidence in me that I was able to move onto the level three work earlier than expected. “When the island went into lockdown, I had a few extra exams that I needed to pass before I could complete my level three. So I decided while I had the time at home to try to revise for them myself. I taught myself the theory and then went into College once I was able to sit the exams. My lecturers looked at what I had done and said I could skip the third year of the course and go straight into the final year.” Unsurprisingly, it was hard work for Koen, but it was something he was glad to do. “I enjoyed it. I hadn’t liked school very much so I was worried about going back into education, but it was very different. I would definitely encourage people who have been put off an apprenticeship by the education side of it to give it a go.” Now qualified, Koen is working with an apprentice of his own, and is able to pass on some of the lessons he has learned over the past few years. And those

skills weren’t just picked up in the classroom – he says the job is a real balance of theory, practicality, and the simple ability to communicate.

Plumber

FACTFILE

“There are certainly lots of skills you need as a plumber – and a good work ethic is a great place to start. My people skills weren’t great when I began in this role, but it’s crucial that you can speak with customers in an appropriate way. I’ve certainly learned to be more sociable over the past few years, and those skills have built up alongside my confidence.”

THE JOB Installs, maintains and repairs pipes and fixtures associated with heating, cooling, water distribution and sanitation systems in residential and commercial structures. Fixes domestic appliances, such as dishwashers and gas cookers. Inspects drainage and other plumbing systems for compliance with regulations.

Koen says working for Ross has been a key factor in his success, as he has allowed him to develop while encouraging and mentoring him.

THE SKILLS

“From the start, it was never a case of Ross simply making me watch what he did – he was always keen for me to learn by doing and has always been very trusting of me. Sometimes that has meant making mistakes, but I’ve always learned from them – and it’s an approach I want to pass on to others.”

Problem-solving and analytical skills are crucial, as well as the requisite mechanical and technical skills. Communication and customer service skills are important as the job involves both listening to customers’ issues and communicating solutions and ideas to them and other professionals. With busy workloads, time management and organisational skills are also important.

Koen says the variety of the job is something he particularly enjoys, and the ability to work hard developed during his fishing days stands him in good stead for the physically demanding role.

THE QUALIFICATIONS In Guernsey, an apprenticeship in plumbing studies is offered through the Guernsey College of Further Education, in conjunction with employers. Over the four-year period, apprentices gain their City & Guilds level 2 and level 3 diplomas in plumbing studies as well as a certificate of apprenticeship.

“I enjoy the manual side of the job, so I like doing anything from labouring to digging trenches for water mains in the summer. I also really enjoy completing bathroom upgrades and hot water cylinders, so Ross is very good about putting me on projects that involve those jobs.” With his apprenticeship complete and his success recognised when he won the ‘Apprentice of the year’ award at the Guernsey College of Further Education, Koen says he may look to undertake further qualifications in the future. For now, he’s happy to focus on his current role and develop the skills he has worked hard to achieve.

THE JOB IS A REAL BALANCE OF THEORY, PRACTICALITY, AND THE SIMPLE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE. Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

ST SAVIOUR’S WATER TREATMENT WORKS

Guernsey’s water supply is a lifeline for the island. But ensuring the population has clean and safe water on tap takes a lot of work behind the scenes. Guernsey Water is currently undertaking a major project at one of its main treatment works in Guernsey – a £2.5million refurbishment at St Saviour’s.

Guernsey Water’s St Saviour’s site encompasses a key water treatment works along with the island’s only impounding dam and the landmark large reservoir. It’s also home to a popular walking trail for islanders. But those enjoying a peaceful walk may notice even more activity than usual down at the plant – there is a major refurbishment ongoing at the site. Mark de la Mare is a project engineer at Guernsey Water, who is heavily involved with the project. He explained why they are working on the treatment plant. “The St Saviour’s water treatment works has used membrane technology since 2004. Those membranes were renewed during 2012-2013 and had a life expectancy of around ten years. The membranes are nearing the end of their asset lives and it has been taking a lot of man hours to keep the treatment works operating correctly.

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“St Saviour’s is one of our three main treatment works in Guernsey, along with King’s Mills and Juas, which was brought back on-line when Longue Hougue was taken out of commission. Both Juas and King’s Mill use rapid gravity filter technology so that was clearly something we looked at when it came to refurbishing St Saviour’s.” Prior to the installation of the membrane technology, a rapid gravity filter system had been in place at St Saviour’s as well. So, working in conjunction with UK consultants, Guernsey Water assessed their options. Due to the set-up of the treatment works and the civil structures that currently exist there, they decided to explore two viable options – either replacing the existing membranes or converting the plant back to the conventional process of rapid gravity filtration. When those options were compared against resilience, water quality, sustainability, operability and

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Those challenges arise because the treatment works has to stay on-line during the course of the project. When Juas, for example, was being brought back online, the Longue Hougue works it was replacing was still in production. At St Saviour’s a phased approach will mean that parts of the site are worked on while others are still online. It will be a tricky balance between maintaining output but also allowing the project to progress efficiently.

whole life cost, it was decided that a rapid gravity filter system was the correct solution for the site. That ‘new’ process would involve reverting to the site’s former setup – but with some modern improvements, as Mark explained. “The use of rapid gravity filters is a well-established process that has been used for a very long time, but there are ways to make it even more effective. The St Saviour’s site will revert to its original process but will now also incorporate UV disinfection, which didn’t exist when it was converted to membrane technology. It means that we can use a proven, effective process but also have the reassurance of UV treatment. It’s the approach we have taken with both King’s Mills and Juas, and it made the most sense here. “When the membranes were Before the system was one of installed, the only options that provided a reliable barrier to cryptosporidium

The phased nature isn’t the only obstacle – Covid has also caused issues with the £2.5million project. A 3D walkthrough of the works needed to be completed for the UK consultants to use as they couldn’t visit the island in person. Specialist contractors will also need to be brought in for areas such as installing the filter floors – while procurement is also an issue. But Mark said they have managed the risks as much as possible.

(the cause of a diarrheal disease). Now, with the advances in modern technology, UV disinfection also provides an equally effective level of protection, while also allowing the use of the more costeffective conventional process.” For Guernsey Water, using the same technology at all its treatment works clearly has benefits and Mark said the utility is looking to take advantage of its staff’s existing expertise when it comes to this project. “We would often go out to tender for major projects like this, but for the St Saviour’s works we are doing the majority of work in-house. Our mechanical fitters who are usually responsible for our operational maintenance will also be undertaking this work. They completed similar projects at Juas and King’s Mills so they certainly have the expertise and the experience, but this job will be even more challenging.”

“We approached this project in a different way to how we would usually manage it and ordered the majority of items, such as the pumps etc., upfront to ensure that they will be here when we need them. As well as the problems caused by Covid, Brexit has caused issues with getting the equipment we need to the island. But we are progressing well at this stage.”

AT ST SAVIOUR’S A PHASED APPROACH WILL MEAN THAT PARTS OF THE SITE ARE WORKED ON WHILE OTHERS ARE STILL ONLINE. IT WILL BE A TRICKY BALANCE BETWEEN MAINTAINING OUTPUT BUT ALSO ALLOWING THE PROJECT TO PROGRESS EFFICIENTLY.

While Guernsey Water is still finalising the detailed design and some aspects of the project, construction started on site in June. The original timeline aimed to have the conversion completed by summer 2023, but that may change as the project progresses. What won’t change is the end product for consumers – while the project is a major one for Guernsey Water, they believe it will go unnoticed by islanders as the taste and quality of the water supplied by St Saviour’s is not expected to be affected. Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

ROYAL GUERNSEY GOLF CLUB

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The Royal Guernsey Golf Club (RGGC) may have been established in 1890, but it recently decided that its premises could look a little more modern. The Club has undertaken a major refurbishment of its main social area with a complete overhaul of its first floor bar and a new terrace constructed outside.

Sitting next to the golf course at L’Ancresse, the RGGC has an enviable location looking out across the bay. But in recent years the beauty outside wasn’t reflected in the Clubhouse bar inside, and the Club decided it was time for change. Interior designer Anne Langlois was tasked with the job of renovating the area – balancing the history of the Club with its suitability for modern members: “The brief was to update and enhance it, but not to change it beyond all recognition. The Club wanted to keep the character of the clubhouse intact, and recognise the past while looking forward to the future.” It was a potentially tricky balance, and one that Anne approached carefully. With the space last renovated in the 1990s, modernisation was key. “I always start with the colour palette and the incredibly beautiful natural setting gave me plenty of inspiration. The large skies, expansive sandy sweep of L’Ancresse Bay with its concrete sea defences and the rugged heathland golf range punctuated by yellow gorse meant that the colours to use for this project were immediately clear. I like to approach a project in terms of its context and the surroundings here gave the perfect palette.” But while the colour scheme was crucial, there were also more practical changes that needed to be made to ensure the potential of the area was realised. For Anne, the dated wooden bar was an obvious place to start. “When we started the project, the existing bar was clearly a wasted opportunity as it blocked the views of the bay from many parts of the room. We therefore raised the bar pelmet to open up the space to the spectacular views. While that helped with the natural lighting in the room, we also added

feature lighting with pendant decorative filament bulbs with diamond cut, cross knurl pattern bulb holders and additional lighting in the form of a concealed warm white LED strip across the ceiling behind the bar.” For the bar itself, shelving and storage was designed to incorporate mirrors and glass shelving to bounce back light, while more LED strip lighting added to the impression of light and space. The structure of the bar counter was retained but it has been reclad in lime washed oak effect laminate for a more modern look. The sides of the bar counter were panelled and painted a dark grey accent colour that is repeated throughout the room, with RGGC branding in soft gold on some of the panels. In the main bar area, there are two areas of raised ceiling height. For Anne, these offered an opportunity to marry a statement new look with an improvement in the room’s ambience. “We put bespoke feature pendant lights in the ceiling voids to give a warm glow in those spaces. For these lights, we worked with a UK company to create a bespoke design of supersized drum lampshades in a natural linen with embossed gold linings and antique bronze bulb holder fittings and frames with decorative filament bulbs. “Getting the scale of them right was quite a challenge and they ended up being very substantial at 800mm wide. But it’s a big space and they needed to be that size to have the impact – I’m very pleased with how they have worked out.” That use of linen is echoed throughout the scheme, with a commercialgrade linen-look material for the chairs blending practicality with style.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

“The chairs are upholstered in midnight, stone grey and gold to reflect the yellow of the local gorse. They look lovely, but they are also very robust as I know they will need to stand up to plenty of wear and tear. With a project like this it’s all about the details. I worked with a firm in Yorkshire to source the furniture, and when the samples arrived they had dark legs. I knew they wouldn’t last as well as lighter legs, and they didn’t co-ordinate as well with the colour scheme, so we changed them. Little tweaks like that really do make a difference to a project like this.” Anne co-ordinated the project and was on site from the start through to completion. The initial 12-week contract was affected by the island’s lockdown earlier this year, but aside from those delays the contractors kept to the original schedule and the new space was completed and open in time for its members to enjoy the summer.

OUTSIDE SPACE Along with the interior refurbishment, the project included the addition of a balcony to the clubroom. It was an obvious improvement to make to the area, meaning that patrons can now get outside directly from the clubroom and enjoy the views across the surrounding area. Designed by Turnstone Architecture, the Club had actually received planning permission for the new structure a number of years ago but had not managed to undertake the works. The recent interior refurbishment offered the perfect opportunity to complete the outside project as well. The balcony deck was constructed using Millboard Enhanced Grain lime washed oak for durability and easy maintenance while ambient lighting has been provided through gunmetal finish bulkheads with ribbed glass. It was constructed by local firm P S Martin Ltd and, while separate from the interior works, the two projects were completed together. “The co-ordination between the exterior and the interior works ran very smoothly. While they were separate projects, there was obviously overlap when it came to issues like knocking through the wall to install the new doors to replace the previous windows,” said Anne. “It made perfect sense to complete the balcony alongside the refurbishment and it will make a huge difference to members’ enjoyment of the area.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

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THE CONTRACTORS FIRST FLOOR BAR INTERIOR REFURBISHMENT • Paul Langlois Architects • Interior Systems Ltd • Electrical Installations (Gsy) Ltd • DWA • Hillcross Furniture Ltd • Imperial Lighting Ltd

BALCONY CONSTRUCTION • Turnstone Architecture Ltd • P S Martin Ltd • Stainless Steel Fabrications Ltd • The Millboard Co Ltd • Dorey Lyle & Ashman Ltd

ON DISPLAY The history of a club such as the RGGC is reflected in its trophies and memorabilia. It was therefore important they were displayed in an appropriate manner that would also fit well with the newly redesigned area. For Anne, simplicity was key – minimalist two-way glass and steel cabinets were installed in existing openings to hold the silverware, with feature lighting ensuring that they remained a focal point of the room. “It was important to create a lovely backdrop for all the memorabilia, but in a clean, modern environment. This way the silverware is really shown to its best advantage and becomes a decorative feature in its own right. It’s a modern way of continuing the tradition that fits really well in the refurbished bar.” Alongside the trophies, the traditional captains’ portraits were another reminder of the Club’s history that needed to be preserved. They were removed from their original spot around the front entrance and then reprinted to be displayed on a new ‘captains wall’, with white frames mounted on a dark grey accent wall to ensure the portraits remain a focal point of the room.

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COMMENT

Why is competition in the mortgage market and assessing affordability rather than salary good for borrowers? Ed Jones, head of lending, Channel Islands, at Butterfield Bank considers the advantages of taking a more personal approach when it comes to mortgage lending.

For homebuyers, mortgage provider options have, historically, been quite limited. The housing market itself is healthy, with a recent surge of activity. Mortgage providers have come and gone, product ranges and pricing can fluctuate and many of the recognisable names are offshoots of big UK banks, with decisions frequently made off-island. This landscape has limited the options for those looking to obtain a mortgage who would prefer to use a local provider or who might be looking for different features.

WHEN LENDING IS BASED ON A DEBT SERVICE RATIO THE LEVEL OF LENDING IS TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS COULD MEAN THAT A POTENTIAL HOMEBUYER MIGHT BE ABLE TO BORROW MORE THAN THE NORMAL FOUR TO 5.25 TIMES SALARY.

In our view at Butterfield, when there are more players in the mortgage market, it is the borrower who benefits most. Choice is a great thing in an open and competitive market like Guernsey. This is because increased choice means that prices can be more competitive and the quality of the service has to be higher, as lenders compete to rise above the other market players. And with more competition, it is in the lenders’ interest to not only provide attractive rates but also a greater range of products. A report by Deloitte in 2018 shows that people who obtain offers from five different mortgage providers can save, on average, more than £6,000 over the life of the mortgage. In a competitive market, consumers have the advantage of choosing who to borrow from, the type of mortgage that appeals to their specific needs and, in some cases, the repayment schedule that suits them. There isn’t a typical mortgage comparison website in Guernsey, although rates can be compared in local property publications, so people tend to pay closer attention to exactly what is being offered by individual lenders, and that doesn’t just mean price and LTV, but the broader services offered as well. With the introduction of new mortgage service providers, borrowers will have increased choice. As a result, they will be able to make decisions based on their circumstances, their preferences or, indeed, both of these, and find the provider that is the best fit.

Guernsey Property and Construction

Affordability rather than salary Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions that we can make. In Guernsey, the size of that investment is continuing to grow. Latest figures from the States of Guernsey show that the average price of a local property at end of the first quarter in 2021 was £509,906 – an increase of 15% since the same time the previous year. This rising market means that some homebuyers will often need to borrow more to afford their ‘forever home’. While each mortgage lender has its own criteria for affordability, the ability to purchase a home typically has an income cap based on salary multiples. Through our Group-wide experience in banking, we know that people’s lives and circumstances are often more complicated than that. This method of assessing means if the buyer doesn’t meet the criteria, often decided by a computer, they will find themselves priced out of properties they previously thought they could afford. This can be particularly frustrating for those with alternative income sources that can often be discounted during the mortgage application process. However, there are other options available. It is possible to secure a mortgage where other factors, such as work-related bonuses, are considered. Some lenders consider general expenditure when assessing affordability, such as monthly ingoing and outgoings and existing debt. When lending is based on a debt service ratio the level of lending is tailored to individual circumstances. This could mean that a potential homebuyer might be able to borrow more than the normal 4 to 5.25 times salary. The best way for a lender to gain a holistic view of a client is to meet them and get to know more about their lifestyle and requirements. By providing flexible affordability criteria, coupled with a client-centric approach, more people could fulfil their dreamhome ambitions.

Source: Deloitte Access Economics - The Value of Mortgage Broking, July 2018

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

Have you considered a UK buy-to-let? With limited properties available for purchase in Guernsey, Jim Coupe, managing director at Skipton International, discusses the merits of looking outside the island for a buy-to-let property.

The Guernsey property market is booming. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, local agencies are reporting record sales, with a lack of housing stock on both the sales and rental markets becoming ever more an issue. However, the islands are not alone. House prices in the UK have risen by 9.5 per cent over the past year, with the average property now fetching £22,000 more than it would have this time last year. At the time of writing, over the past month alone, a standard property has increased by 1.3 per cent – more than £3,000.

CITY LIVING IS STILL POPULAR, BUT THE NEW ‘WORKING FROM HOME’ CULTURE HAS MEANT ALMOST EVERY COUNTY ACROSS THE UK NOW HAS ITS APPEAL.

These figures are borne out by the huge demand we have seen for UK buy-tolet mortgage applications. As a specialist provider of mortgages for UK buy-to-let property for expats and foreign nationals, we have seen a surge of applications from those wishing to purchase in England, Wales and mainland Scotland. Enquiries for UK buy-to-let mortgages from those living in the EU are up by 34% and Hong Kong residents in particular are purchasing with the sole purpose of renting the properties out. Those living in Guernsey might find it a good decision to consider purchasing a property to rent out in the UK. Many of us have connections to the mainland through friends and family, and may wish to buy in the same area, whilst others may wish to research various different regions for an idea of the best amenities and rental opportunity. Those of us with children currently attending a UK university will be acutely aware of the rental income that some landlords enjoy. The UK rental market, much like that in the Channel Islands, has also seen a marked increase, with letting agents across the UK reporting lack of stock as rental requirements

changed throughout the pandemic. Properties with more outside space are in constant demand, driven in part by the effects of extended lockdowns, as are those in more rural areas. City living is still popular, but the new ‘working from home’ culture has meant almost every county across the UK now has its appeal. In the UK, the level of house price inflation is at its strongest in almost seven years and we have seen a sustained, strong demand for UK buy-to-let mortgages, aided, of course, by the stamp duty holiday. However, although this ends on 30 September, we are confident the demand will continue. Wales has seen the fastest rate of growth over the past 12 months, closely followed by the North West and Yorkshire. The South of England, which has traditionally been the driver of UK house prices, is falling behind – especially in Greater London where prices are up just 3.1 per cent. As a locally-based bank, we fully support Channel Islanders who wish to purchase a UK buy-to-let property. There are some who might wish to try it for the first time – we have reduced our rates on loans for UK buy-to lets between £100,000 and £250,000 by 50bp – or those who might look to purchase in somewhere such as London, where other benefits are on offer. All mortgage decisions are taken locally by our team of specialist underwriters, and we can currently offer an underwriting decision within two to three days, benefitting you in being able to move fast to secure your chosen property. Anyone seeking to purchase a UK buy-to-let property can check out the Skipton mortgage calculator at www.skiptoninternational.com/uk-mortgages

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

A positive outlook for construction Caroline Gumble, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), looks at the prospects for the industry and explains how they are supporting members locally.

I mentioned in my previous column that activity in our industry, and across our membership, hasn’t let up since the pandemic began. That very much remains the case – and things seem to be getting busier! There are clear pressures on the industry. Demand for building and construction work is high, both on big infrastructure projects and for home renovations and improvements. All of this, while there are supply chain issues and short-term product shortages.

THERE’S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF COMMITMENT, HARD WORK AND RESILIENCE IN THOSE WHO WORK IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND I’M PLEASED THAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LARGELY POSITIVE.

But the prospects for construction look good. There are recent figures from the Construction Products Association (CPA), in its summer forecast for the industry, predicting construction output rising by 13.7% this year and a further 6.3% next year. These numbers follow on the heels of Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published in July showing that demand for construction workers remains high, with 33,000 vacancies in the sector in the period April to June 2021. There’s another driver of opportunities in construction - jobs that focus on making the built environment more energy efficient. Earlier this year the Construction Industry Training Board issued a report suggesting that an additional 350,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be needed by 2028, focused on delivering improvements to existing buildings to cut energy demand. That’s a potential increase of around 13% on the current size of today’s workforce. I believe all this is hugely positive. Being able to offer thousands of people a long-term career as we emerge from a time of crisis sounds like good news, for individuals but also for our industry, the economy and the environment.

Guernsey Property and Construction

All of this also reinforces what I regularly say about the wider construction community and, in particular, CIOB members. There’s a tremendous amount of commitment, hard work and resilience in those who work in the built environment and I’m pleased that the future looks largely positive. Which leads me very nicely to an update on something which is a highlight in CIOB’s calendar – the Construction Manager of the Year Award. As I write this, we are in the process of letting the nominees know whether or not they have made it to the shortlist. However, I can confirm that the Channel Islands are represented – Marc Burton of the Garenne Group is a finalist in the healthcare category for his work on the Nightingale Wing at the Jersey General Hospital. Many congratulations to Marc for making it to the finalists list - roll on the awards ceremony in September! Looking to see what else is happening closer to home, the series of regional “members welcome” events for existing members and those on the membership track went really well, with lots of engagement from current and potential members. We’re also in the middle of planning some face-to-face events for Guernsey in the autumn. If you’d like to find out more about these events or, better still, would like to register an interest, do feel free to join our LinkedIn group “CIOB in South UK” or check out the events section of the CIOB website at www.ciob.org

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

At least maintain whilst we deliberate! Chair of the Guernsey Construction Forum, John Bampkin, sets out why he believes the States of Guernsey needs to take action on infrastructure projects.

HAVING SIGHT AND INPUT INTO WHAT AND WHERE THE STATES BUILDS NEXT ALLOWS US TO PLAN OUR RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH THIS VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORK.

It’s been a turbulent summer so far for Guernsey and the Bailiwick regarding the decisions needed to secure a bright and prosperous future for the islands.

• We have some of the most beautiful real estate in Western Europe with some amazing traditional buildings and culture that we must preserve at all costs.

We have seen yet another pause on the future of education and we’ve been bombarded with various iterations of the Seafront Enhancement Plan only for this to be placed on hold as well. We also continue to see delays and deliberation on planning permission for various sites around the island that are in desperate need of regeneration, such as Leale’s Yard and the Old Quarter in St Peter Port.

• The island has a thriving financial industry that is world class and supports so much of island life in so many ways.

Whilst these major redevelopment and regeneration projects are debated, vital maintenance work that is needed just to keep us functioning as an island is also put on hold pending a decision which seems to be more elusive than an England football win at a major tournament!

• We generally live to a great standard, with restaurants and activities to rival anywhere.

The Guernsey Construction Forum, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, is pushing very hard for the States to commit to the release of funds to ensure that our vital supply ports are maintained in a way that firstly makes them safe to operate and then improves their capacity and efficiency by getting on the front foot with maintenance programs that have been almost forgotten about whilst we debate the bigger picture. We have now reached the point where our seaport and sea defences in particular are just about held together with some very old sticky tape at best! On a brighter note, I cannot emphasise how much Guernsey and the Bailiwick has going for it. As a fairly new arrival to the islands (February 2020), I am so excited about what we have and what we can become: • We built a great reputation during the Covid crisis and our ability to come together as a community – this has really put the Bailiwick on the map globally.

• We have a great climate with good links (usually) to the UK to make us a fantastic place for holidays and short stays for families and couples.

The one thing we do not have is a well planned out vision of the future and an identity for what the Bailiwick of Guernsey wants to be and where it wants to get to. This has to start with a population plan and then a housing and infrastructure plan, then we work out how we are going to raise the finances for these investments. They don’t have to cost us money because if they are done correctly they can show a return over a number of years on the money paid out initially. We also need to balance moving forward with hanging on to what makes us great in the first place regarding our environment and traditions. Once again if we plan this in the right way, I strongly believe we can enhance both of these areas rather than detract from them. Progression does not have to be bad – we have the technology to move forward and build more accommodation, facilities and connections without it damaging this wonderful place we call our home. This is all good news for the property and construction industry but only if we think hard about our choices and make the right decisions. The answers are all out there and we shouldn’t be afraid of them. What we cannot do is put this plan off any longer and delay any further the crucial maintenance work needed today!

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

The new Construction Approved Code of Practice Andrew Mills, chairman of the Guernsey Occupational Safety & Health Association, looks at the importance of the island’s new code of practice (ACoP), which he says everyone in the industry should be aware of. The new construction ACoP was introduced by the Guernsey Health and Safety Executive a few months ago and updates the previous ACoP. It is an important update. ACoPs set out certain basic principles for how businesses and employees should act in given circumstances and are used as a measure of responsibility when things go wrong. The new regulations came into effect on 2 December 2020 and the industry had a transition period until the end of May 2021. Guernsey’s chief health and safety officer, Robin Gonard, described the aim of the code as ‘to help busy construction professionals in Guernsey carry out their tasks using appropriate control measures in what remains a high-risk industry.’ He has also said that for most small projects, the CDM approach will require more coordination of construction work with other contractors, but the construction standards and health and safety precautions required have not changed. For larger projects, there is a greater emphasis on pre-construction planning, with a crucial role to be played by the health and safety project coordinator. The code provides practical advice on how to meet the legal requirements set out in the associated Ordinance. Following the ACoP means enough is being done to comply with the law. If prosecuted for a breach of health and safety law, and it is proved the ACoP relevant provisions had not been followed, it would need to be shown that the law was followed in another way or the court will find you at fault. Construction is, by its nature, a hazardous sector to work in. Construction regularly records high levels of accident and injury each year in Guernsey and most were easily avoidable. As well as the financial losses which result from an incident in the workplace, there are many personal, social and reputational consequences to consider.

Guernsey Property and Construction

It is also not just the sudden incidents which cause problems. There are many sources of illness and long-term injury which result from failing to take adequate precautions. Asbestos is Guernsey’s biggest workplace killer and is under-estimated, especially by younger workers as its effects are not immediate. However, when they do kick in, the consequences are devastating, truly upsetting and life-ending – in a very painful way. Additionally, the effects of chemicals on skin can be equally distressing and can end the incomeearning ability of previously healthy workers. There are so many hazards in the construction industry – such as deafness from failure to use ear protectors, the effects of breathing in dust, incorrect use of scaffolding, the use of hazardous, sometimes unguarded machinery, injury caused when workers are unseen (not wearing hi-viz vests) – these are just a few examples, it’s a long list of potential causes of injury, illness and death in construction. The ACoP is here to help people avoid the effects of illness and injury caused by workplace activities. Take it seriously, know it and implement it and, when the situation is right, go one step further if you can and help yourself and others avoid debilitating, sometimes life-ending, conditions. The construction industry is great to work in and we should be proud of those within it, who make a positive difference to Guernsey and its economy. The sector can be proud that serious injuries and illnesses have reduced over the past ten years, but the number of incidents is still too high and can be reduced with a bit more care, training, knowledge, concern, co-operation, use of protective equipment and observation of our Construction Approved Code of Practice. You can find out more information about the ACoP at www.gov.gg/CDM

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

M&A: DUE DILIGENCE NEEDED Scott Crittell is a Chartered Fellow of the Association for Project Management. Here he looks at some of the factors to conside when a business is looking to merge with or acquire another firm.

We have seen several mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) across retail businesses during the pandemic, allowing for the move to more on-line retailing. This has not been matched in the construction and real estate industry, yet in Q3 2019 the value of M&A deals in the sector was £3.18bn at a 106.2% increase on the previous four-quarter average.

STAFFING THE PEOPLE STREAM WITH EXPERIENCED M&A PROFESSIONALS TO ENSURE THE BEST OUTCOME WHEN INTEGRATING STAFF FROM BOTH BUSINESSES IS ESSENTIAL TO RETAIN THE PEOPLE SKILLS ACQUIRED THROUGH THE DEAL.

In spring 2021, the Construction Product Association forecast an output rise of 12.9% for 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, and this is not sector unique. As such, consolidation leading to more M&A deals may prove a sound business decision in increasing a business’s slice of the economic upturn. Whilst a merger or acquisition may hold strategic value to the board, each is its own multi-layered project, which requires a variety of skills, expertise, and experience to ensure the realisation of the board’s vision. Often this means many active workstreams and I want to highlight a few subjects which cover the reasons for entering such a transaction. Firstly, when you merge or acquire a business, part of the value will be the knowledge and skills of the staff and their familiarity with the clients and the business you are bringing into your company. The people stream might be contentious if insufficient roles remain and will need a sympathetic approach with clear communication. However, I would like to concentrate on retention of both new and current staff. Integration of the staff and the cultures of both businesses can often cause friction and result in the loss via departure of staff skills and knowledge across both the new and existing staff. The cost then of recruitment to replace and train cannot be underestimated. As such, staffing the people stream with experienced M&A professionals to ensure the best outcome when integrating staff from both businesses is essential to retain the people skills acquired through the deal.

Next, let us consider assets. Transition of the assets of the acquired business is a focus point for any deal. The transfer of these assets from a legal, financial and IT system-based perspective is often the focus for the stakeholders of the transaction, no matter the industry involved. This activity will often sit across streams but I shall narrow the focus. Firstly, the IT alignment with your business systems may delay any transfer of assets and make the running of the entities as one ongoing concern much more difficult and expensive. Whilst this may not be a deal breaker it is often overlooked, leading to delays in the transfer of assets and problems with the running of the one new entity. If not resolved this may hamper your ongoing capacity to view your profit and loss for the new entity, which will cause stakeholder concern. Secondly, to avoid problems in your project timescales, you may bring in M&A project experienced staff at an early stage, and prior to the deal being agreed, to include their knowledge. This should produce invaluable insight, which may allow a board to shape the deal in a more workable manner. Ensure you allow for non-disclosure agreements for all involved external and internal staff. Lastly, I should mention data. When you acquire any business, you acquire data about the business itself and its clients. This data may be sensitive, and in the pre-deal stage will require housing in secure environments whether actual or virtual. Data is also a specialised project stream where you should be aware of relevant laws and any reporting that you may need to make to relevant authorities based on the data you are inheriting. The quality of the data is important as remediation can be costly and very time-consuming. In summary, M&A requires a specialist project that needs experienced project resource to realise the vision of any deal.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

L-R: Paul Vidamour, Nigel Dorey and Will Le Lievre

JAPANESE FISHING PAVILION The Japanese Fishing Pavilion has stood as a well-loved structure in Guernsey’s Saumarez Park for more than eight decades. But its dilapidation meant that it had to be closed to the public for safety reasons in 2019. Now, a project spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Guernsey has seen the pavilion rebuilt and set to reopen for islanders’ enjoyment.

Being in the right place at the right time is a well-worn expression, but sometimes it’s a fitting one – and the team behind the restoration of the Japanese Fishing Pavilion benefited from exactly that. With the Rotary Club of Guernsey’s centenary approaching next year, the club was looking for a project to support the island and lit upon the pavilion. At the same time, the managing director of Pauls Joinery, Paul Vidamour, visited the park and decided that after 35 years in business, he wanted his firm to help the community by restoring the structure to its former glory. Both contacted Guernsey’s Environment Department at the end of last year. They were delighted to have the support for the project, and the much-loved landmark was set for a new lease of life. Now the rebuild of the pavilion is complete and the building is set

Guernsey Property and Construction

to re-open to the public, but it’s taken a huge amount of work to get there. Paul Vidamour said he was determined from the start that they would do a thorough job of creating a precise replica of the previous structure: “Once we were committed to the project, I went to the park and took lots and lots of photos and measurements so that I could start drawing it out on my CAD programme. I worked on it all over the Christmas period, and it took me around 40 hours, but it was complete by the start of this year.” Unfortunately, the island’s lockdown combined with the wait for planning permission meant they couldn’t start work on the project for a few months after that. Once they were ready to get going, it was joiner Will Le Lievre’s job to construct the structure, a challenge he was delighted to tackle: “This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. As soon

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

WITH THANKS TO… Completing the project has been a community effort involving a number of sponsors and contractors, who have worked together to preserve this piece of Guernsey history.

Main sponsors: • Rotary Club of Guernsey • John Ramplin Trust • Butterfield Bank • Resolution IT • Constables of the Castel

Main contractor and sponsor: • Pauls Joinery

Support contractors and suppliers: • Norman Piette Ltd

scale of the project became clear. For Will, it was a case of tackling it one step at a time: “Norman Piette supplied a huge amount of timber to us and then we needed to get it sawn, straighten it and then plane it and then cut it to the right lengths, mortise and tenon it. I had to draw out the roof full-scale in CAD because we didn’t have any exact replica of the roof. The floor was more straightforward as it was just beams and braces, but the roof was complex. The front pitch flies up into another pitch which also has a second pitch, which makes it very complicated. But it was a joy to make, and I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved.”

• Bob Froome & Son • Petersfield Plant Centre • PF&A Architects • Sarnian Roofing Ltd • Scaffolding Services • Fusion Engineering

as I knew we were going to be doing this job, I hoped that I would be the one who would get to work on it. It’s certainly been challenging but I know I’ll never get the chance to make something of this iconic stature again, so I’ve been very happy to have the opportunity.” While the previous iterations of the pavilion (in 1935 and 1989) were built on site, Paul was adamant from the start that this time it should be built in his workshop: “We have all the machinery in the workshop so it’s much easier and more efficient to build there. It also means that we’re not dependent on the weather and we don’t need to pack our gear up at the end of the day so overall it made much more sense.” The benefits of working indoors mattered even more once the

WHILE THE PREVIOUS STRUCTURE HAD LASTED A FAIRLY IMPRESSIVE 30 YEARS, IT’S HOPED THAT THE NEW ONE WILL BE STANDING FOR EVEN LONGER.

Working in the workshop meant that progress went well, but it still left a major challenge – transporting the deck and roof to Saumarez Park to be reassembled on site. Paul had known that would be a difficulty from the start: “In the workshop we worked on the deck and the roof separately, and then the bridge afterwards. We knew we would need to transport it, so we had a ring beam which we split in two, so the bottom half of the ring beam was part of the base and the roof was built off the top half. We knew in theory that the six holes and six pegs should line up, but it was still a very nervous time as the crane driver

dropped it on. Luckily it matched up perfectly first time, and it was really quite an emotional moment.” Rotary committee member Nigel Dorey has been the site manager for the project. For him, the pavilion holds a special significance – as the former manager of States Works he was responsible for the previous renovation of the structure in 1989. But he was still happy to get handson when it came to its demolition: “As a club, we like to get involved with our projects. Building the pavilion clearly required more specialist input than we could provide, but we were certainly qualified to pull it down. A team of ten volunteers from the club came down to dismantle it and we had a rather satisfying time.” While the previous structure had lasted a fairly impressive 30 years, it’s hoped that the new one will be standing for even longer. Paul explained that, along with good workmanship, their choice of materials was crucial: “The timber we’ve used is accoya, which is grown in New Zealand and then treated in Holland with a preservative. It’s a modified timber which was developed around 15 years ago and it’s very durable and stable. Although it’s quite expensive, we use it often. So the main structure, along with the

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

The Pavillion

IN NUMBERS The original pavilion was built in 1935 by C Mallandaine, K D Rich and John Parsons, who all worked for Lovell & Co. It was rebuilt in 1989 by States Works from the pond bed up to the roof. The 2021 replacement has used around four tonnes of wood. The team at Pauls Joinery has spent around 700 hours building the replica of the original pavilion. Thanks to support from local suppliers and contractors, the project has cost the Rotary Club around £45,000, although the true value of the materials and work is £78,000. The accoya wood used in the new structure should last 50 years.

handrails and decking, is made with the accoya and then there are cedar shingles on the roof.” The accoya is expected to last for around 50 years and need very little maintenance, so it should provide a lasting legacy for both the carpentry firm and Rotary. While Pauls Joinery has contributed a lot to the project, Rotary also needed to source other contractors, as Nigel explained: “I called in lots of favours for this project and people have been really generous. Some have offered their services for free while others have given us huge discounts to make the project viable. I think everyone in Guernsey appreciates how important the pavilion is to islanders, and especially children, so they wanted to help. “Through sponsorship, we’ve covered the costs of the initial part of the project, but we still need to raise the funds to pay for the extra balustrading. We were originally planning to use a stainless steel mesh for health and safety, but as the quality of the work became obvious we realised that would jar.

Guernsey Property and Construction

We found out that many similar buildings in Japan now use vertical balustrading so we’ve added that in. It works really well, but has come at an additional cost which we’re looking for support with.”

JAPANESE INFLUENCES While the pavilion has been the only Japanese-style structure in Saumarez Park for many years, there is a longer history of Japanese influence at the park.

Along with the new health and safety measures, the other important change for the new pavilion is its improved accessibility. The surrounding ground levels at the pavilion’s entrance are being adjusted to ensure step-free access, so that the new facility can be enjoyed by everyone. For Rotary, it was the perfect project to commemorate the club’s centenary, which they will celebrate in 2022-2023. With the pavilion finished a year early, in 2021, the club is planning to hold an event in Saumarez Park next year to mark the achievement. An official opening for the newly rebuilt pavilion will be held in September. Anyone still wishing to donate funds for the project can visit giving.gg and search for Rotary Guernsey.

Prior to World War II, a Japanese house and temple used to sit near to the fishing pavilion, having been brought to the island by Baron James de Saumarez, the grandson of Admiral Lord James de Saumarez. He was said to be fascinated by Japanese culture following a visit to the country.

THE SURROUNDING GROUND LEVELS AT THE PAVILION’S ENTRANCE ARE BEING ADJUSTED TO ENSURE STEP-FREE ACCESS, SO THAT THE NEW FACILITY CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE.

He had a complete Japanese house transported to the island, as well as an old temple which was dismantled, numbered and rebuilt in his grounds. They became dilapidated during the Occupation and were vandalised afterwards, which led to their removal from the park, which had passed to States of Guernsey ownership in 1937. Now the pavilion and the bamboo found in the park are the only reminders of Baron de Saumarez’s love of Japan.

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2021

NEW APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME LAUNCHED Guernsey College of Further Education, part of The Guernsey Institute, has launched a new apprenticeship – the Island Operative. Starting in September 2021, the new course has been developed in partnership with industry.

The new apprenticeship will provide a recognised training programme for operatives across many sectors including waste management, construction, civil engineering, utilities and roadworks. The College is hoping that the scheme will be attractive to many employers who have staff who would benefit from the programme. Chris Torode, director of apprenticeships at the College, explained who they hope to reach: “The new apprenticeship is aimed at those individuals wishing to work as an operative within various industries on the island, including construction site workers, road workers, waste and utilities operatives. We have been working on this for some time with employers, having recognised that there is a skills gap that needs to be filled.” Steve Roussel is the director and general manager of Ronez and has been involved in bringing the new apprenticeship scheme to fruition. He said: “There is a clear need for new people to be brought into the industry. Within our operational activity, there is a growing emphasis on health and safety and environmental impact. These apprentices will develop an understanding of how to make operations safe and environmentally friendly. It’s also a great way for them to have an attractive career path and see the opportunities that are available.” States Works has also had input to the plans. Joe Adams is the service delivery (contracts) manager, and said training is key for staff at his organisation: “States Works is committed to investing in the training and development of our staff, a key element of which recognises the value of the relationship with Guernsey

College of Further Education and the Guernsey Apprenticeship programme. It was recognised that there was a gap in the market for staff development in the waste sector to gain an onisland formal qualification. We believe that the introduction of the Island Operative Apprenticeship will provide the perfect platform for staff to build confidence and develop a broader and more specialist range of skills and knowledge - all whilst learning on the job and earning a wage in this sector.” The Guernsey Recycling Group is also excited about the launch of the new training course as group operations director, Matt Cox, explained: “The Guernsey Recycling Group is looking forward to the launch of the Island Operative Apprenticeship this September. We believe the syllabus meets the needs of employers in the construction, utilities and waste management industries, and offers a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of employees seeking to start their career. Graduate apprentices will be well equipped with the practical skills necessary to excel in their chosen pathway and will benefit from workbased placements that will give them hands-on experience and confidence. “We look forward to welcoming our first students in September, and working with the Guernsey College of Further Education and the other participating employers to ensure apprentices enjoy the course and are able to access the expertise which will be freely shared between our different companies.” Jenny Giles is a senior civil engineer at Geomarine Ltd, and has also been involved with setting up the scheme. She says they are looking forward to

WE BELIEVE THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ISLAND OPERATIVE APPRENTICESHIP WILL PROVIDE THE PERFECT PLATFORM FOR STAFF TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND DEVELOP A BROADER AND MORE SPECIALIST RANGE OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE.

welcoming their new trainees this year: “Geomarine is delighted to have had input into the collaboration involved in setting up this apprenticeship. We are now really excited to have the opportunity to offer an apprenticeship route for our new operatives and look forward to working with the College to develop this further, in providing recognised qualifications for the skills our staff develop.” Students and employers can find out more information about the new apprenticeship, including how to enrol, on the College’s website at www.guernseycollege.ac.gg Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

OPENING DOORS If first impressions matter, then your front door is arguably the most important part of your house. Looking to reinvigorate yours? Whether you’re searching for colourful or classic, contemporary or traditional, these impressive portals should provide some inspiration.

#DOORSOFINSTAGRAM Looking for some local inspiration? Check out Instagram account ‘Adorable Doors of Guernsey’ @guernsey_doors From the island’s grand townhouses to the most basic of fishermen’s huts, the account showcases the very best of the Bailiwick’s doors. With more than 300 posts to date and more added regularly, there should be an ‘adorable door’ to suit every taste.

Guernsey Property and Construction

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ogierproperty.com Redwood House, St Julian’s Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1WA Telephone: +44 1481 721672 See ogier.com for more information about Ogier’s legal services.

Partner 01481 752217 martyn.baudains@ogier.com

Senior Associate 01481 752214 martin.casas@ogier.com

Nicholas Le Poidevin

Lead Conveyancer 01481 752344 nicholas.lepoidevin@ogier.com

Guernsey Property and Construction / Issue 7

Articles inside

Island Operative Apprenticeship

St Saviour’s Treatment Works

Saumarez Park Pavilion

Royal Guernsey Golf Club

La Ferme és Frâses

Kitchens & Bathrooms

Legal

Guernsey Property and Construction Awards