PLANS to change La Rocco Apartments from holiday lets into residential flats should be rejected, according to the Infrastructure, Housing and Environment Department.
The proposals to convert the 24 self-catering apartments at La Pulente into 19 homes would cause ‘further disruption and danger’ to road users in the area, IHE argued, referencing recent road traffic collisions.
In a response attached to the application, IHE said approving the plans would lead to an ‘intensification’ of the single-site access from the road.
The access driveway also fell below the standards of width and visibility required for cars entering the premises, it added.
The IHE letter stated: ‘The proposed change of use from short-term rental accommodation to residential would lead to an intensification in single-site access from the carriageway by all accessing the site, given the permanent occupation and daily trips as opposed to leisure day trips. More trips every day would result.’
The letter adds that three road traffic collisions have recently occurred near La Rocco Apartments.
The document added: ‘The access driveway is long but just below the distance whereby passing places would be required.
‘However, given there will be more trips, the access itself still needs to meet the current access standards requiring 74 metres of visibility both ways and a five-metre-wide access for at least six metres in from the highway.
‘While nearside visibility is likely to be achievable, it is reliant on third-party land. The other matters cannot be satisfied and, without improvement, will risk further disruption and danger to all users.
‘As part of any acceptable scheme, there would be a need for a highway improvement scheme to help reduce speeds in the vicinity, including gateways on either approach and a speed limit reduction.’
La Rocco Ltd 2 lodged the application, claiming that the changes would create ‘new family housing’.
A report accompanying the plans states: ‘The original and oldest building on the site, building two, was constructed post World War Two as a modest hotel, known as The California Hotel. The building has been modified and extended over the years, culminating in the general form we see today.’
The report added: ‘These proposals look to make a positive contribution to the Island’s housing stock by refurbishing holiday lets to provide new family housing.’
