PLANS to demolish Lucas House on St Clement’s Road and build 29 flats on the site are back on the agenda after an earlier refusal was recently overturned on appeal.
An application to develop the former Auto Express garage, which has been empty for some time, was made by Lucas House Holdings last year.
This was to knock down existing buildings and replace them with 15 one-bedroom, 13 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom flats; a commercial unit; and 13 car spaces, shared gardens and play areas.
However, the application was refused by the Planning Committee in January due to concerns about the loss of employment land “without sufficient marketing evidence” to show that it was no longer needed; the impact on neighbouring residents and the lack of on-site play provision.
There were also a number of public comments against the development.
The refusal was appealed by Richard de Gruchy of Rok Group in April, with the independent inspector now publishing her findings, recommending that the appeal be allowed.
This has been accepted by Environment Minister Steve Luce, who signed a ministerial decision on Friday, just two days before he lost his seat in Sunday’s election.
Inspector Jo Dowling concluded that the site had been appropriately marketed as a site for business before proposing flats, its redevelopment for housing would provide a wider community benefit and it accorded with the policies of the Island Plan.
She added that proposed new development “would not harm the living conditions of nearby residents” and it would be set further back than the existing buildings and comprise three blocks of development instead of one.
She considered that this arrangement would provide an improved outlook and allow more light to some neighbouring properties.
Ms Dowling added that, while accepting that the proposed development would not deliver a dedicated play space on site, she was satisfied that there would be “informal opportunities for children to play within the proposed development”
She recommended that this should be complemented by a legal agreement to fund new play facilities at the nearby Howard Davis Park, something outgoing Deputy Luce agreement should be set in a planning obligation agreement.
