Thursday 15 December 2022
Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) has purchased the Duval vinery land, in St Sampson's, for £1.95m, with the assistance of States funding from the capital grant awarded to the Affordable Housing Development Programme.
The site will be used to deliver much needed social rental, partial ownership and keyworker housing.
In the past, the land has been used for commercial growing, but has not been operational for many years and the glasshouses are now overgrown and derelict. It adjoins the Fontaine Vinery, owned by the States, and is part of the wider Belgrave Vinery land zoned for housing in the Island Development Plan.
As part of the plans for Fontaine Vinery, GHA has submitted a planning application for 42 homes, being a mix of 1, 2 and 3 beds, for rent, partial ownership and key workers. Subject to planning permission being granted in the New Year, and contractor availability, it is hoped that work can start on site during 2023, with phased completion of the homes being estimated towards the end of 2024 and into 2025.
Vic Slade, the new Chief Executive of GHA, said:
'This is a fantastic opportunity to provide 42 homes to go some way towards tackling the desperate housing need in the island, for people who cannot afford to rent or buy privately. The States have been really supportive of GHA securing land to provide a pipeline of new affordable homes over the next few years.'
Deputy Peter Roffey, President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said:
'We are pleased to be supporting the GHA in the purchase of this final piece of the Belgrave Vinery jigsaw puzzle. It will enable much needed affordable housing to be delivered, as well as provide opportunities to improve traffic infrastructure and active travel connectivity in the north of the island.'
