'No Different To What They Submitted Before'

The former vice president of Policy and Resources says the committee's latest submission to build on the Vauquiedor field offers nothing new.

Policy and Resources has provided new information to the Planning Authority on its ambition to build a large car park and 66 flats for healthcare workers at the PEH.

The site chosen sits across a steep sided valley which is currently used to graze cattle.

More than 350 objections were received by Planning when the application was first lodged late in 2022.

The latest submission outlines the steps that have been taken to find alternative sites within walking distance of the hospital.

The old CI Tyres yard in the Charroterie, bought for key worker housing, is ruled out as it's seen as too far from the PEH. Deputy Heidi Soulsby says this isn't a valid reason:

"It should be a perfect location and this idea that it's not suitable because it's over a mile from the hospital is daft. It's only a five minute bike ride and buses go right by there."

Among the letters and charts is a spreadsheet showing alternative sites for healthcare workers. P&R's most favoured is the old Braye Lodge Hotel, some 5-8 minutes from the PEH. It says it wants to build 66 apartments there. But second comes the Vauquiedor valley. Deputy Soulsby says they're not saying anything new about this:

"It's no different to the one they submitted before. There's no added evidence, there's nothing more than to justify their criteria."

Deputy Soulsby says other, short term accommodation options could be looked at: 

"It's something that might help, but it won't be the solution, was to support key workers having rooms, or a part of a house, in houses that are under occupied, where people would like to take someone in and get some income."

Anyone with a view on the additions to the planning application has until 25 October to make a written representation to the Planning Authority.