Tuesday 02 June 2020
The Development & Planning Authority has approved the Leale's Yard Regeneration Area Development Framework, which will support efforts to bring this substantial brownfield site back into use.
Following extensive consultation with all ages of the community, the Framework is now part of the Development & Planning Authority's (D&PA's) Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and will be taken into account when considering planning applications on any part of the Leale's Yard Regeneration Area. The Framework provides planning guidance for the mixed-use development of the Leale's Yard Regeneration Area with comprehensive and practical guidance on how policies in the Island Development Plan (IDP) will be applied to the site.
The Development Framework was principally prepared by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design for the 5.03 ha (30.71 vergees/12.43 acre) site. Bounded by The Bridge, Nocq Road and Lowlands Road with Lowlands Industrial Estate to the north, the main area within the site is owned by The Channel Islands Co-operative Society and currently vacant.
Feedback was received from a variety of stakeholders during the six-week consultation period, including local residents, key organisations and groups (such as the St Sampson and Vale Douzaines, Youth Commission and the Health Improvement Commission), States' Committees, Service Areas, Utility Companies, and States' Deputies, and the principal landowner, the CI Co-operative Society. All feedback was taken into account and this has influenced a number of changes to the final Development Framework.
As it is highly likely that the necessary screening process for any proposed development will result in the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment, it has highlighted the need to amend legislation to allow for such a development to progress by way of outline planning permission. The D&PA have lodged a Policy Letter to ask the States to agree to such an approach.
The President of the Development & Planning Authority, Deputy Dawn Tindall said:
"This is the first of four Frameworks originally planned for within Town and the Bridge to help regenerate underused areas. The D&PA are very grateful for all those who took part in the consultation as the responses received not only resulted in changes to the original draft but show there is real desire to see something happen with Leale's Yard. Above all, there is an opportunity here to create an exemplar development that everyone can benefit from. We also hope the States approve the changes to the legislation to make development that much easier and support building on this site - the sooner the better."
Hilary Satchwell, Director of Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, said:
"There has been a longstanding need to bring the Leale's Yard site back into use and the adoption of this framework is an important step forward, bringing certainty to everyone of local expectations and acceptable parameters for new proposals.
"While the Framework itself is based on the principles of sustainable, delivery-led development, a mix of uses, community activities and housing types with good connections and public realm and open space, there is also a sensible balance between what must happen in any new development and elements that can still be flexible. This flexibility will be essential for unlocking the site and bringing forward new uses for the community."
