En Voyage - Issue #8
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Business<br />
GUERNSEY<br />
HARBOUR AREA:<br />
BUILDING FOR<br />
TOMORROW<br />
BY ANNALISA SPENCER, ASSOCIATE AT LOVELL OZANNE<br />
IMAGE@JAMIELETISSIER.COM<br />
St. Peter Port’s first man-made<br />
harbour was built in 1275. The<br />
construction of the harbour as we<br />
know it was begun in the 1850s<br />
after 20 years of deliberation by<br />
the States. At this time the harbour<br />
area was increased from 4.5 to 73<br />
acres to include a large anchorage,<br />
a floating dock, shipbuilding<br />
yards and a careening hard.<br />
The Guernsey we enjoy today<br />
was built by our predecessors and<br />
ancestors. Throughout Guernsey’s<br />
history we can see examples of<br />
where those in charge at the time<br />
have made bold investments into<br />
the island’s infrastructure in order<br />
to facilitate our sustainable growth.<br />
Making big investments in the future<br />
is a daunting task. Nevertheless<br />
we have a responsibility to the<br />
island’s future generations to ensure<br />
our infrastructure continues to<br />
evolve and be fit for purpose.<br />
Other previous examples can be<br />
seen with the land reclamation of<br />
the Braye in the early 1800s, forming<br />
a connection we now rely on in the<br />
island’s day-to-day functionality.<br />
Likewise the land reclamation which<br />
took place in the 1980s to create<br />
North Beach and the QE2 marina;<br />
which faced significant opposition<br />
at the time and was barely approved<br />
by the States. Looking back on these<br />
decisions today, few would argue that<br />
these developments have not been<br />
economic enablers for Guernsey.<br />
The Island Development Plan,<br />
introduced in 2016, identifies<br />
a requirement to consider the<br />
Harbour Action Areas (HAAs).<br />
This is a positive step in bringing<br />
forward plans for the development<br />
and expansion of these areas.<br />
Members of Guernsey’s Chamber<br />
of Commerce recently produced<br />
a document which sets out a<br />
suggested Framework for how<br />
Guernsey’s Harbour Areas could be<br />
developed, advising a communityled<br />
vision, along with private and<br />
public investment vehicles.<br />
Even more encouragingly, the<br />
States of Guernsey’s Committee for<br />
Economic Development recently<br />
published a paper which outlines<br />
Guernsey’s Economic Vision. Amongst<br />
other important areas identified<br />
where States active encouragement<br />
and investment will be necessary<br />
to allow for economic growth, the<br />
redevelopment of St Peter Port<br />
Harbour is presented as a key issue.<br />
The CfED advise that a coordinated<br />
approach is taking place whereby<br />
four of Guernsey’s committees (P&R,<br />
CfED, CfE&I and the STSB) are coming<br />
together to progress the first stage<br />
of works in the enhancement of the<br />
Harbour Area, and that this is one of<br />
the States 23 prioritised policies.<br />
The danger, of course, with such<br />
a process is that there are too many<br />
cooks! For all the interested parties<br />
mentioned to agree a masterplan is a<br />
major challenge – particularly within a<br />
timescale that ensures the document<br />
is still relevant when implemented.<br />
Lovell Ozanne are about to<br />
celebrate 60 years as architects on<br />
this island. When we look back at<br />
the many projects and dreams that<br />
have been discussed over this time<br />
frame it becomes apparent that<br />
having focused and clear objectives<br />
on a fixed programme is the only<br />
way to avoid a project disappearing<br />
into the bottom drawer of a filing<br />
cabinet never to see the light of day.<br />
Clearly this is the infrastructure<br />
project of the generation and has the<br />
potential for Guernsey to demonstrate<br />
that we are a forward and outwardlooking<br />
community. It is crucial now,<br />
more than ever, that we continue to<br />
build momentum and look to create<br />
a legacy we can be proud of. This<br />
means that we need to focus on<br />
the bigger picture and avoid getting<br />
distracted by short-term negativity.<br />
91