Residential Conversion Eyed for Guernsey’s Historic ‘The Barn’ Church Hall

An historic church hall in Guernsey may soon be transformed into a residential property. The site, known as “The Barn” and located next to St Andrew’s Church, was depicted on the Duke of Richmond map of 1787 and has fulfilled numerous functions throughout its existence. The hall is currently the subject of a planning application seeking its conversion into housing. Martin Thwaite, the senior constable of St Andrew, stated: “We’re at the stage where we have prepared plans for a potential conversion to a residential unit and these have just been presented and the application is being looked at now.” Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey, he elaborated that discussions on this topic commenced “a few years” ago, following an approach from the church congregation. He mentioned: “The church congregation approached the constables to say their use of the Barn as a meeting place, kitchen and so on had declined.” Thwaite was unable to provide a specific timeline for the work’s completion, admitting: “We wouldn’t even know the market value”. He indicated that the planning application would need to advance, and consultations with estate agents would assist in determining a precise timescale.