Fresh plans to transform Gorey shop into café and apartments

Friday 11 February 2022

Plans have been put forward to turn Gorey's Old Sail Loft Boutique and quarry site into five three-bedroom homes and a coffee shop.

But the Government's Transport team has already raised an objection, arguing that the application holds "no benefit to the public, only detriment."

James Naish Architects has requested a change of use from Class A retail unit to Class B coffee shop for the ground floor area, which would result in a reduction of non-residential floor space from 124 to 51 square metres.

Over the first and second floors of the building, the construction of five three-bedroom apartments is planned, each with their own associated balconies and with entrances reaching down to the ground floor. Each apartment would have a flat roof planted with "biodiverse grasses and indigenous species".

In a cover letter accompanying the planning application, it is suggested that “invasive species, especially sycamore saplings and holm oak” will be removed from the area to create a habitat suitable for the local population of green lizards, which are a protected species.

A granite retaining wall containing "natural crevices" to encourage lizards to settle, is also proposed to be constructed to the north of site.

The application states that the existing frontage of the Boutique building, which is Listed, would be retained.

CLICK TO ENLARGE: The plan for the site.

In the late 1800s, States-owned Jersey Property Holdings bought the site as part of plans to extend a railway through the area and under Castle Green into St. Catherine. Since 2013, the plot has been privately owned, changing hands until it was purchased by the current owners in 2019.

Documents submitted as part of the planning application suggest that in the years since the property was purchased by its current owner, “26 major hotel and restaurant groups” were approached to co-develop the site “to no avail”.

“The local hospitality sector is in a parlous state” a report outlining the change of use request states, “suffering from the much-published staffing and cost issues in 2019 and covid-19 in 2020.”

“The mixed use of employment and non-employment in the historic setting of Gorey is the best way forward.”

This not the first time that an attempt has been made to partly convert the property to residential use - in 2012, Jersey Property Holdings lodged plans to demolish the existing buildings to build three three-bedroom townhouses. These plans were rejected, and rejected once again after being tweaked and resubmitted in 2013.

Pictured: The current site of the Old Sail Loft Boutique and quarry on Gorey Pier (in red).

The Government's Infrastructure, Housing and Environment Department's Transport Team has objected to the latest application.

They state that "as the proposal stands, there is no benefit to the public, only detriment."

Particularly raising concerns about islanders with mobility issues, they state that the addition of five three-bed units may lead to a "significant number of vehicle trips to pass over the footway, leaving pedestrians vulnerable." They state that the footway should be extended to improve better access and comply with disability laws.

The amount of parking is described as "excessive", with IHE recommending a condition be put in place that "all car parking spaces must be retained solely for the use of occupants of the development and should not be sub-let for any other purpose."

The objection adds that, while bike racks are included, "there is no information regarding the type, cover or number." The inclusion of electric charging facilities are "welcomed by the department", however.

The objection letter concludes that their concerns may be able to be rectified, however, if the applicant provides a "contribution to the Eastern Cycle Network".

The proposals have been deemed a 'major application', and a planning decision will be made at a later date.