New owners move into Parish development

Sunday 15 November 2020

A former bus and coach depot has been transformed into an affordable housing development named after a former parish Constable - and it was moving day for some of the new owners this week.

The Clos, which was developed by the Parish of St Martin Housing Association, has been named after former Constable Michel Le Troquer.

The 20 affordable homes have been built on the site of the former Slades Bus and Coach depot on La Grande Route de Faldouet and on land behind those derelict buildings.

The site was rezoned and approval given by the States in July 2014 for the Association to continue and progress the project that they had been working towards. The approval followed an amendment to the Island Plan by Parish Deputy Steve Luce during a debate on proposed amendments to the Island Plan that was being brought by the then Planning Minister, Deputy Rob Duhamel. 

Pictured: The new owners have started moving into their homes.

After their first Planning application was refused in 2017, the Association worked with Andrew Morris Architects to make changes to the layout and the revised planning application was unanimously approved in December that year.

The site was subsequently purchased by the Housing Association and Hacquoil and Cook chosen to undertake the development of the homes following a tendering process.

Work on the site started on site in June 2019 and, despite being hampered by wet weather last winter and the pandemic earlier this year, the development was completed at the end of last month.

Pictured: Building on the site started in June 2019.

"The Housing Association are delighted to have finally achieved their goal to provide these new affordable homes after many set-backs," the Association Chairman Michel Le Troquer said.

"This project has enabled families to get onto the housing ladder and we hope they will be very happy in their new homes for many years to come."

Noting the project had taken "a long time to achieve", Mr Le Troquer thanked Andrew Morris and Emma Gouedard at Morris Architects as well Hacquoil and Cook and all their sub-contractors for their "commitment and support". 

"My colleagues on the Association appreciate the advice we have received from the Treasury Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel and the former Housing Minister, Senator Sam Mézec and their officers from the respective departments and we thank them for that support," he added.

"I have been lucky to have had a dedicated committee to see this project through, in particular our Treasurer Terry Jehan and Secretary Derek Ferguson, who have worked tirelessly throughout. The whole committee have played their part and all in an honorary capacity."

Pictured: The new cloys is named after former Constable Michel Le Troquer.

The former Constable said he didn't expect the development to be named after him - a decision taken by the Committee.

"I’m honoured and a little embarrassed by their decision," he said. "However, it is also something special for my wife and family and I also think of my late grandparents who attended the old St. Martin’s School over 100 years ago and who would be very proud that the family name lives on in the parish."