Residents appeal against designs of Le Squez homes

  • Andium Homes have been given the go-ahead to demolish dozens of units next to the FB Fields and replace them with four large blocks containing modern homes
  • Neighbours claim they will lose privacy and light if plan goes ahead
  • Read more about the history of the site below

NEIGHBOURS who say that a housing scheme will lead to them losing natural light and privacy are due to appeal against plans to redevelop part of Le Squez in St Clement.

Andium Homes, the organisation that administers the States’ stock of affordable housing, was last week given the go-ahead to demolish dozens of units next to the FB Fields and replace them with four large blocks containing modern homes.

The homes that stand on the Le Squez phase four plot – next to the FB Fields’ running track – were designed and built in the late 1960s by Sir Lindsay Parkinson & Co Ltd of London.

The fields on which the homes were placed were bordered by the rail tracks of the Island’s Eastern Railway to the north and Rue du Maupertuis to the south.

Blocks of flats were set amongst lawn areas, surrounded by two-storey terraced dwellings.

Overall the site contains a number of different facilities including the FB Fields, Samarès School and Le Squez Youth Club.

The plans received the backing of the Planning Department and the Planning Applications Panel, despite objections from neighbours in Sarina Road, who said that they would lose light and privacy if the scheme was approved.

Now the group are due to appeal against the planning permission.

Robin Harben (77), who moved to the area 48 years ago when the Sarina Road homes were built, said: ‘Our garden is going to be overlooked by a block of flats five storeys high.

‘We will have people looking down over us and that will be our privacy gone.

‘And where our garages are is going to become a two-way road, so getting out of the garage might be a bit of a problem.’

Andrew Sleight, who has lived in Sarina Road for 11 years, added that the height of the block closest to his home was his biggest concern.

He explained that if they reduced the block by two storeys, Andium could add an extra level to two other blocks that were due to be built at a height of four storeys.

And Janice Bougeard said that the scheme would affect their privacy and that there would be a loss of natural light.

She added: ‘Andium Homes came up with the solution of having immoveable and unalterable shutters on the overlooking windows of the new blocks.

‘I think that will affect the amount of light for the people in the flats and I don’t think it will be very attractive for us to look at.

‘It could look like some sort of secure unit.

‘We know this development has to go ahead, but we are just asking Andium to have a bit more thought for us.’

How the view from the gardens of Sarina Road (bottom) would change (top)

Responding to the appeal, Dominique Caunce, Andium’s director of communications, said that they would work with the Planning Department through the formal process.

She added: ‘Andium Homes are delighted to have received planning approval for the final stage of the Le Squez redevelopment programme.

‘We do understand, however, that an appeal against the decision has been indicated and we will work with the Planning Department during the formal process, just as we have throughout the design of the approved scheme.

‘In forming Andium Homes, the States charged the new company with a responsibility to deliver more homes and improve the standard of existing properties.

‘A focus must be maintained on the growing number of applicants on the Island’s Affordable Housing Gateway, which currently stands at 1,092.’

The old and the new: All of the homes at Le Squez are being rejuvenatedThe way they were: Children at Le Squez celebrate the start of the summer holidays in 1982

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