Exploring High-Rise Solutions for Guernsey’s Housing Shortage

Guernsey is grappling with an acknowledged housing crisis, a reality accepted by politicians, landlords, and the wider community, yet effective solutions remain elusive. Previous discussions have explored options such as releasing land, deploying modular homes, and encouraging homeowners to rent out spare rooms. The current focus is on whether high-rise developments could significantly contribute to increasing the availability of homes. The scarcity of housing in Guernsey is impacting a broad spectrum of residents, including young individuals aspiring to leave their family homes, expanding families, older people seeking to downsize, and landlords. Jeff Guilbert, who leads the Guernsey Landlord Association, characterized the rental market as “overheated.” He stated: “There’s not enough rental properties available and when you do advertise a property we are inundated with a tsunami of people inquiring.” “We are getting more and more inquires from people relocating to the island that don’t realise how difficult it is to secure a property. Some were phoning in the early stages of the month and expecting to get a property by the end, in two or three weeks – it is just not going to happen.” According to Lindsay de Saumerez, President of Environment and Infrastructure, private rental properties account for over a quarter of households in Guernsey. She commented: “We’re seeing far more cost pressure in the rental market than we are even in the sales market, which has come off its peak. I do have significant concerns over the systemic affordability or unaffordability in the sector.” Olly Brock, an architect who now identifies as a “place maker,” has unveiled computer-generated designs to demonstrate the potential of high-rise structures and their visual integration within the island’s landscape. He stated: “I don’t want to design these buildings, I just want to try and unlock our capacity to think about them and to actually look for the positive solutions and constructive solutions, rather than just moaning all the time.” “I struggle so much riding my motorcycle, looking at places as I pass them. I look up and down Les Banques and think the number of opportunities there are here, under-used and under-utilised plots.” In contrast to numerous other global locations, Guernsey features only one high-rise structure: Cour du Parc. Constructed in the 1960s, this 11-storey building serves as social housing managed by the Guernsey Housing Association. Mr. Guilbert suggests that constructing taller buildings could provide solutions for key workers. He stated: “At the end of the day, we haven’t got a lot of choice. The majority of people relocating to the island are key workers and essential workers. Unless we want to take a lesser standard of hospital care or we don’t want the finance industry to be here, these people are going to keep coming and we have to put them somewhere.” Andre Austin, a director at the estate agency Swoffers, expressed skepticism that high-rise developments represent the solution Guernsey seeks. He commented: “We don’t believe there is a particular appetite for people to live in these properties. The only area in the island that features any form of high rise is around Frossard House. Perhaps if the States were to relocate their HQ there may be scope to develop further on that site.” Mr. Brock indicated that constructing taller buildings in locations such as the Bridge could potentially yield up to 300 additional homes. However, given that Guernsey residents cherish the “quaintness” of their islands, a question arises regarding their potential support for building upwards instead of expanding outwards. Mr. Brock stated: “The character of Guernsey comes from, in my mind, the variable nature of thing. If you asked people what they think of the island as a built character, they will talk about a fisherman’s cottage, a farm house, they will talk about very traditional things.” “But unfortunately none of those things are going to provide housing for the number of people we have on the island, so we have to start thinking about how we develop our uniqueness with a larger building sector.” Deputy de Saumerez expressed her belief that the community would be receptive to taller buildings. She commented: “As long as it is done in a way that is sensitive and usable. Most people in Guernsey understand that we have a pressing need for more homes.” “I think one of the other advantages of building up rather than out is that it reduces the need to develop greenfield sites around the island. So by making the most effective use of land in developable areas, that will have a positive impact on affordability and protecting the island’s natural environment as well.” Information regarding BBC Guernsey’s presence on X and Facebook, and an email address (channel.islands@bbc.co.uk) for story submissions, was provided. The article concluded with a copyright notice for 2024 BBC, stating all rights reserved, and a disclaimer that the BBC is not responsible for external site content, along with a reference to their external linking policy.