Leale's Yard housing plan faces another setback

Plans for the shape of future housing on the Leale's Yard development in Guernsey have stalled, it has been revealed.

The housing plans would see about 300 new affordable homes built on brownfield land in The Bridge, in St Sampson's.

But the most recent idea to erect prefabricated modular housing on the site is now unlikely to go ahead, Policy and Resources (P&R) President Lyndon Trott has confirmed.

He said that negotiations with Omnibus Developments, which is spearheading the plans, remained ongoing but the government was looking to explore more "traditional build" options instead.

Trott admitted the change of tack was a "drawback" but it wasn't "the end of the road" for the plans.

He said: "I am quite encouraged by what I've seen and let's hope a deal can be found with the States, which will be the primary investor and the developer.

"But our main focus will be value for money for the taxpayer."

He added that other sites may be prioritised first.

He said: "I don't want to give the impression the Leal's Yard development is dead in the water – it's anything but."

It comes after the company which was set to create modular housing for the site, Top Hat, said it was shutting down that arm of its business.

Omnibus Developments previously said it was committed to finding an alternative.

Guernsey businessman Martin Search is among those is appealing to the States to make progress on the plans before the next election.

He said: "It would be fantastic for the States to get their heads together with the developers and push it forward before they disappear."

He added it was vital the plans went ahead as part of a wider "investment in the economy".

It is almost two decades since businesses were moved out of Leale's Yard ahead of a "large development" by the Co-Op which owns the land.

Omnibus Developments and the Co-Op have been contacted for a comment.

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