GDA plans to be published in September

Plans for hundreds of new homes at The Bridge will be published by the Guernsey Development Agency (GDA) before the end of September.

Originally, the GDA had planned to put forward its scheme for Black Rock and The Bridge in April, but it is now working on a number of options for States members to consider.

Before then, the States will consider plans for a new electricity cable between Guernsey and France, which is likely to cost about £100m, with a policy letter expected before summer.

According to Guernsey Electricity CEO Alan Bates, the new cable is likely to be supported from money borrowed by the States of Guernsey and could go straight to France from St Sampson.

Bates said that, alongside this, work negotiating a new contract with EDF for power from the continent was "looking very positive for the post-2028 contract".

While this project continues, Environment and Infrastructure (E&I) is working on new designs for flood defences at The Bridge, after plans for a small seawall were scrapped.

Committee President Adrian Gabriel said work was well under way on the designs.

He said: "We're working at pace to deliver an interim flood defence so that development can happen, and so that investors can have confidence in putting money into The Bridge."

GDA chair Peter Watson said the project at Black Rock and around The Bridge needed States approval before any investment for the project was raised.

He said: "We would expect the States to put the land in, possibly a very small amount of money, and then private capital to top it up.

"If the investment doesn't come forward, we will shift our focus elsewhere along the east coast, between St Sampson and St Peter Port."

Some politicians have expressed concerns with the plans, including Deputy Lee Van Katwyk, who sits on the Development and Planning Authority (DPA).

The DPA will likely have the final say on these plans at an open planning meeting.

Some officials have raised concerns about Van Katwyk's presence at any open planning meeting after he voiced his criticism of the plans.

However, Van Katwyk has said he will be able to make a fair and objective decision on the plans.

After a briefing on the plans to the States oversight board for the GDA, Gabriel said he was supportive of the scheme.

He said: "They've created an excellent vision for this area, and, if we can get that vision under construction and agreed, this will be an amazing destination on The Bridge.

"It's a huge project. It's going to need a huge amount of investment. But there is no hesitation about the GDA's capability. They are a quality outfit with some amazing individuals.

"The States can be risk‑averse, whereas the GDA has the commerciality and the contacts. That's sometimes what government lacks."

The States will be presented with a number of options in September to choose from.

Watson said the project at Black Rock would mean firms currently working at Griffiths Yard would likely move back to the Fontaine Vinery, which is currently zoned for housing but is likely to change to industrial zoning after the review of the island development plan is completed.

Alan Bates said the existing cable which came from France via Jersey could supply more than 90% of Guernsey's annual electricity demand, but only about 60 megawatts at peak times, compared with peak demand of 94 megawatts.

That shortfall means the local diesel power station has to be used more heavily, particularly during winter.

A new cable, expected to cost about £100m, would provide additional low-carbon electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

When asked about possible increased costs for customers, Bates said he was confident over a 30-year period, electricity price increases would remain below inflation.

Part of the GDA's plans could include splitting the power station in two, and having some generators at The Bridge and some at Longue Hougue.

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