Industry news

DPA cracks down on unsightly premises

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) has submitted a policy letter asking the States for permission to serve civil notices to land owners and occupiers to improve the condition of their land where it is adversely affecting the amenity of an area. This would include, but would not be limited to, land which is in an unsightly condition, and could include redundant hotel sites, derelict premises in town and other known eyesores across the island.

Section 46 of the Land Planning and Development (Guernsey) Law, 2005, permits the States to allow for the control of the use of land by Ordinance and similar provisions already exist in Alderney, Jersey, England and Wales.

Deputy Victoria Oliver (pictured), president of the DPA, said: “We’ve already produced a Development Framework for three regeneration areas in St. Peter Port but having these powers would enable us to make sure that the limited space on our island is being put to best use. There are existing provisions in place for this, but they don’t deal with unsightly land in a comprehensive way.

“Islanders and visitors already enjoy the beauty of our island, but we’re all aware of sites which spoil our otherwise picturesque scenery. As well as making the most efficient use of our space, this would be an opportunity to further improve the charm of our island and deter the creation of more eyesores.”

The notices would not apply to redundant greenhouses and related structures, as other measures already exist under the Planning Law to encourage removal of these structures.

New appointment at Lovell Ozanne

Lovell Ozanne has welcomed architectural assistant Jazmine Emmanuel to the team at its St Martin’s studio. Jazmine moved from Glasgow to Guernsey in July and the studio says she has already become a valuable member of its team. In her role, Jazmine will contribute creatively to project design stages. With Lovell Ozanne’s broad range of projects, Jazmine has been able to gain experience in both the residential and commercial sectors, as well as work on bespoke residential dwellings.

For Jazmine, joining the team has been a very positive experience: “Lovell Ozanne has a keen eye for designing beautiful tranquil spaces which I am overjoyed to now be a part of. Learning and becoming part of the process in which these projects come to life is extremely fulfilling, and I am excited about future projects.”

Jazmine gained her BA (Hons) at the Mackintosh School of Architecture (RIBA Part 1) and is now pursuing her Masters in Architecture (RIBA Part 2) whilst working at Lovell Ozanne. Outside work, Jazmine keeps connected to the broader creative world by pursuing graphic design and photography projects.

Charlie Hodder joins CCD

Chartered architect Charlie Hodder has joined CCD Architects, Surveyors and Heritage Consultants as the newest member of its team.

Having worked in London for many years, Charlie has a wealth of experience to bring to the company. Charlie was born in Guernsey and worked for Speakman Sayers Architects before moving to the UK, but he has always maintained his connection with the island and he returned with his wife in 2018 to raise his two boys in Guernsey.

Managing director Stuart Pearce commented: “We’re so thrilled to welcome Charlie into our team and his enthusiasm for design is infectious.”

Charlie added: “I am delighted to be working in such a welcoming and friendly office. It is great to be working with such a talented team of people on an amazing range of projects and I am very excited about what the future may hold”. Charlie studied architecture at Portsmouth University, becoming a chartered architect in 1999. Whilst completing his studies he worked in Guernsey, Los Angeles and San Francisco before moving to London, where he worked for 16 years. There he built his knowledge and skills as a designer, going on to become part of the senior management team at HTA Design LLP, a leading architectural practice specialising in housing design.

Since being back in Guernsey Charlie has designed and gained planning for several private homes.

StudiO grows its team

Katie Birch has joined the team at StudiO. With a specialisation in project, design and construction team management, including programming, leading team meetings, client liaison and contract administration, Katie is also a qualified chartered architect.

Working predominantly in the private residential and hospitality sectors, Katie’s role involves setting up projects from the outset and leading clients and the design teams through the design stages and throughout construction.

For Katie it’s an exciting opportunity: “I’m thrilled to have become part of the team at StudiO at such an exciting time of growth and development for the company. The team is young, passionate, and knowledgeable, creating a great working environment that has huge appeal to me. The company has extremely exciting projects on the go, in all different sectors, and I’m delighted to be involved and hopefully contributing to their success.”

StudiO founder and managing director, Oliver Westgarth, added: “As StudiO continues to grow, we’re constantly looking to broaden our diverse team and Katie is the perfect addition. The studio is working on an array of exciting projects at the moment and Katie’s skills will enhance the dynamic service we offer our clients. We are particularly keen to utilise Katie’s skills in project management, which will complement the already in-depth service StudiO offers during the site works stage. Her appointment will benefit both our in-house team and our clients and I am excited to see her take on this new challenge.’

Planning permission granted for GSPCA hospital

The GSPCA has been given planning permission to build a new wildlife hospital at its headquarters in St Andrews.

The approval means the charity can demolish some of the older buildings on the site which date back to the 1940s, replacing them with modern, purpose-built amenities designed by DLM Architects.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said the new wildlife hospital will help the charity care for the many animals that come through its doors every year: “A new wildlife hospital is well overdue not only for us here at the GSPCA but for the whole of the Channel Islands. We often have wildlife from Alderney, Sark, Herm and even Jethou at the GSPCA. We help over 2500 wild animals and birds every year and you’d be surprised what we get called out for.

“In recent years we have helped Olivia the loggerhead turtle, Fortune the dolphin, many oiled birds this winter, over 700 hedgehogs a year, Pedro the puffin, we currently have two seals and we have even been called out to help an eel in the middle of the road on a rainy day.”

Although plans for building the new facility have been approved, the GSPCA does not have the funding in place for it. The costs of the build are estimated at around £2million, with around £300,000 pledged so far.

Skipton to create climate data for the islands

Skipton has partnered with Ambiental Risk Analytics (Ambiental) in support of its work on climate change.

Skipton commissioned a unique aerial survey for the Channel Islands this summer to create a model to show the impact of flooding for each property because of climate change. Ambiental’s climate flood data along with subsidence and coastal erosion data will be supplied to Skipton to ensure it meets future regulatory compliance requirements.

For Skipton, this forms part of its future risk assessment when lending monies within the islands. Credit risk manager Simon White said: “We’ve made big strides over the last few years in our sustainability and ESG activities, particularly in how we prepare for and respond to climate change.

“This in-depth analysis of our mortgage portfolio is invaluable to help understand and manage the physical and transitional risks it presents to Channel Island properties. We are aware that this data will be beneficial to many other Channel Island businesses and will be pleased to share with them if they wish to contact us.”

Rob Carling, sales manager at Ambiental, added: “We are delighted to work with Skipton to develop the climate flood models for the Channel Islands. Like other parts of the UK the islands will be impacted by climate change, and a recent report from the Jersey Government states that 400 homes and businesses are at risk of a major flooding incident. This is forecasted to rise to 3,000 properties in the future unless something is done.”

DLM joins design team for Victor Hugo Centre

DLM has been appointed to help with the development of the Victor Hugo Centre. The studio will be working with the Victor Hugo Centre Guernsey LBG team to create design proposals for the conversion of the former States building on the North Esplanade into the Victor Hugo Centre. The aim is for this exciting and ambitious project to produce educational, cultural, tourism and economic benefits for Guernsey.

Working with Larry Malcic, project director, and internationally recognised exhibition designers Casson Mann, the team will study ways in which the historic building can be adapted to provide an interpretation centre/ museum, a flexible exhibition, meeting and performance space, and an education study centre.

The museum element of the centre will celebrate how Victor Hugo’s work, life and art were influenced by Guernsey, as well as his literary and humanitarian legacy . The centre will become a central hub and meeting place for Guernsey, a lively place in St Peter Port where the contemporary creative community can display their talent and exhibit their work, inspired by both the island itself and Hugo’s life and work.

David De La Mare, managing director of DLM Architects, said: “We’re excited and honoured to have the opportunity to work on this iconic landmark building, and to be a part of a fantastic team with the energy and vision to deliver a unique place that will benefit the entire community for generations.”

For David, the St Peter Port building is the perfect choice for the new centre: “The building itself lends itself so well to this type of use without comprising the integrity of the historic building. We’ve already found out so many fascinating details about the structure and we’re excited to learn more as the project progresses.”

Bella Luce Hotel closed for major development

The Bella Luce hotel has closed its doors for at least two years to allow for a major redevelopment of the site to take place. The Bella Spa that was also on the hotel premises has closed permanently.

Once completed, the 21 guest rooms in the four-star hotel will be reduced to 14, with the aim of creating better spaces for the higher end of the tourist market.

An application was made by equity firm Green Giant Ltd, with permission granted at the end of August. That application was not connected to the Wheadon family, who have been involved with the site for a number of years. The entire building is planned for demolition, apart from the 17th century longhouse, which has had extensions added to it over the years. It will be revamped into a twostorey, modern restaurant where the kitchen will be in full view so that guests can see their food being prepared.

Along with bedrooms, new spaces for business conferences and large events will be constructed, along with a new bar and gym area. A thatched roof will be installed for insulation and practicality purposes.

Idlerocks plans submitted

Architects Lovell Ozanne have submitted plans for a bespoke home on the former Idlerocks Hotel site in St Martin’s.

The studio says its proposal respects the immediate landscape character by reflecting the established natural forms of the cliffs. This would be done by recessing the proposed two-storey dwelling into the hillside and fragmenting the building mass. The result would be a building mass that sits below the crest of the cliffs and does not protrude from the skyline of the headland.

The dwelling would not be visible from the main road, further emphasising the open character of the ‘upland plateau’ and ‘cliff tops’. In addition to this primary principle, Sexton Green Landscapes have been appointed to provide a comprehensive landscaping scheme that will respect and enhance the site boundaries by including a high proportion of native and wildlifefriendly species. The design for the building would see it be clad in materials that complement the established pallet, such as patinated copper, timber and granite. As well as far surpassing the current internal residential space standards, the design features abundant external amenity space, which connects the building to nature.

The architects say the proposal will not result in any loss of distinctive natural features that contribute to the broader area, and they believe that the carefully considered design will vastly improve the character of the surrounding area.

Townhouse may become town apartments

The former Townhouse nightclub building on the High Street could become apartments, following a recent planning application. Approval is being sought to change the use of the upper floors of 38 High Street to form seven residential units. They would be accessed through the existing alleyway beside the building.

The retail unit on the ground floor, where Burtons Menswear previously traded, would be retained under the proposals, as would the associated storage area on the first floor.

The Townhouse closed its doors in 2019 and the extent of repairs needed to the protected 18th century building is substantial. Developers, Kirkwood Properties Ltd, say the plans have been prepared in consultation with relevant Island Development Plan policies, and that “there is a need for single bedroom accommodation for individuals and couples working in the Town Centre”.

It is noted that whilst there is limited external amenities, the central Town location provides ample leisure and recreation space. There would be minimal alternations to the building’s exterior, but extensive refurbishment would be required for the interior.

New quarry approved at Chouet

The planning application to establish a new quarry at Chouet headland was recently approved at an open planning meeting.

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) voted unanimously to approve the application.

During the planning process, nine representations were received from stakeholders and members of the public. Four representors and two representatives of Ronez chose to speak publicly at the meeting. Concerns raised included the levels of noise, dust and vibrations, biodiversity and the impact on nearby properties and businesses.

Permission was granted with a number of additional conditions including an increased number of dust receptors, agreement regarding the days and times at which blasting is permitted and consideration of lowering machinery on the site to reduce visual and noise impacts.

Victoria Oliver, president of the DPA, said: “The principle of quarrying was established by the States and therefore the planning application was mainly about the impacts and mitigation. We have listened carefully to the representations made and considered this application in accordance with the Development Framework approved last year, based on the principles of the Island Development Plan.

“The conditions which have been added to this planning application are so important in ensuring that this work is carried out with the appropriate mitigations. We are really grateful to the parishioners that took the time to look at the application and make comments which the Authority have taken on board through the additional conditions.”

Now that the application has been approved. Ronez can proceed with establishing the quarry before its current Les Vardes location reaches the end of its life.

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