Friday 03 January 2020
The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture says there are plans for dozens of additional car parking spaces at the Les Beaucamps site.
The Committee is responding to suggestions that there would be only four additional spaces when the school is enlarged and becomes de Saumarez College.
A planning application was submitted last month for the redevelopment of the current Les Beaucamps and St Sampson's sites. While the planning application references an additional four spaces created at de Saumarez College, this did not include the significant additional spaces secured by the purchase of Delisles Church.
Deputy Richard Graham, Vice-President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said:
"It is inaccurate to suggest that only four new parking spaces are being created at the Les Beaucamps site. The Committee secured the purchase of Delisles Church which has a car park offering at least 40 spaces. This did not need to be included in the planning application as it is already a car park."
The planning application confirms that on-site parking will be provided for 75% of staff at both Victor Hugo and de Saumarez colleges. This complies with the States' agreed policy, which says that all new developments in the island - including school extensions or redevelopments in any education model - can provide parking spaces for a maximum of 75% of staff. As such, it is not within the Committee's gift to increase the amount of staff parking on-site.
Deputy Graham said:
"The proposals seek to provide parking for 75% of staff, however this is not a feature unique to the "two school model". It is the maximum any new development is able to provide under the planning policies approved by the States, and supports the aims of the integrated transport strategy to reduce the island's reliance on single use vehicles. This figure would remain the same in other education models and at any other site.
Additionally, it is important to note that currently 80-85% of staff drive to work. We are not anticipating or expecting all staff to travel to school by means other than car. However, we will be seeking to achieve a modest increase in the use of other modes of transport and maximising car-sharing opportunities."
