Proposed sale of land at Grouville Arsenal

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A decision made (28.06.06) to recommend the sale of an area of land at Grouville Arsenal.

Subject:	Grouville Arsenal and La Golandrina, La Rue du Boulivot, Grouville – Proposed Sale of Land
Decision Reference:	MD-PH-2006-0051	Exempt clause(s):	NA
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):	NA
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	NA	Report File ref:	PBA 11/958/1-18 (job n° 566)
Written Report – Title	Grouville Arsenal and La Golandrina, La Rue du Boulivot, Grouville – Proposed Sale of Land	Written report - author	P Ahier
Decision(s): As recommended by Property Holdings, the sale by the public of an area of land at Grouville Arsenal adjoining Le Clos de l’Oremel to Mr Barry Thomas Webber of La Golandrina for £5,000, plus payment of the public’s legal fees, to enable Mr Webber to create, at his own cost, two parking spaces and a retaining wall. Under Standing Order 168 (1) (a) and 168 (3) the Minister for Treasury and Resources hereby notifies the States that he has accepted the recommendation of Property Holdings to agree to the above-mentioned land transaction. Under Standing Order 168 (5), the Minister hereby authorises the Attorney General and the Greffier of the States to pass any contracts on behalf of the Public of Jersey that may be necessary. After the expiry of 15 days following presentation to the States the transaction may be concluded.
Reason(s) for decision: Under Standing Order 168 (1) (a) and 168 (3) the Minister is required to notify the States of his acceptance of recommendations to dispose, acquire, let or rent land on behalf of the public of Jersey.

Action required:

In accordance with Standing Order 168(3) of the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey, this decision must be presented to the States at least 15 working days before the contract is passed before the Royal Court.

The Director of Property Holdings is to instruct the Law Officers’ Department and the States Greffe to pass the necessary contract, and to copy this decision to the Minister, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.

Signature:

(Assistant Minister)[1]

Deputy J Le Fondré

Date of Decision:

MD-PH-2006-0051

28 June 2006

Proposed sale of land at Grouville Arsenal

TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

PROPERTY HOLDINGS

Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision - Minister for Treasury and Resources

Grouville Arsenal and La Golandrina, La Rue du Boulivot, Grouville – Proposed Sale of Land

PBA 11/958/1-18 (job n° 566)

Purpose

This report sets-out the terms for a proposed land sale at Grouville Arsenal to the owner of an adjacent dwelling La Golandrina, and seeks Ministerial approval for the transaction to take place.

Background

At the north-east corner of Grouville Arsenal, where it borders a private driveway known as Le Clos de l’Oremel, there is a retaining wall which supports the higher ground of the Arsenal. The height of the wall varies from just over 2 metres to 2.7 metres.

The retaining wall forms part of the public’s ownership of Grouville Arsenal, and is administered by the Housing Department.

The wall is of traditional granite construction and appears to date from when the Arsenal was built. At its northern end where it borders La Rue du Boulivot, the wall has suffered structural movement and severe cracking. In other parts of the wall there is age related deterioration in the form of eroded jointwork and loose stones. Ideally the wall should be re-built, but the cost would run to many thousands of pounds. There are lower cost, shorter term repair options, but essentially, the Housing Department is faced with a significant maintenance burden.

Current Situation

A Mr Barry Thomas Webber, owner of the dwelling La Golandrina which is situated adjacent to the retaining wall at Grouville Arsenal, has proposed a land transaction with the Housing Department which is of mutual benefit to both parties.

Mr Webber wishes to purchase an area of land at Grouville Arsenal situated behind the retaining wall in order to create two parking spaces and to improve the visibility line looking west along La Rue du Boulivot.

Mr Webber would undertake at his own cost the work of taking-down the existing retaining wall, excavating the ground behind, constructing a new retaining wall and laying surfacing for two parking spaces. He would also obtain all necessary statutory approvals for the work at his own cost. It is estimated that the work would cost in the region of £15,000.

The new retaining wall, when built, would form part of Mr Webber’s property.

The value of the land that would be sold to Mr Webber is considered to be in the order of £5,000. This value is based on two scenarios – firstly its existing use, and secondly its residual value for the proposed use. The existing use of the land is partly a section of garden serving one of the Arsenal houses and partly an area of hard standing. The residual valuation assumes that the value of the land as two parking spaces would be in the order of £20,000, less construction costs of approximately £15,000, giving a residual value of roughly £5,000.

Mr Webber has agreed that he would be willing to pay £5,000 for the land and to meet the Law Officers’ Department’s fees in connection with passing the contract of sale before the Royal Court.

The loss of the land from Grouville Arsenal is not considered to be detrimental to the estate.

Conclusion

The Housing department is faced with expensive repairs/reconstruction of an aged retaining wall at Grouville Arsenal. Mr B T Webber of La Golandrina has offered to purchase an area of land behind the retaining wall for £5,000 plus legal fees, to create, at his own cost, two parking spaces. This proposal removes the maintenance liability of the retaining wall from the Housing Department and generates £5,000 income towards maintenance at Grouville Arsenal. The loss of the land from Grouville Arsenal is not detrimental to the estate.

Recommendation

It is recommended that an area of land at Grouville Arsenal adjoining Le Clos de l’Oremel be sold to Mr Barry Thomas Webber for £5,000, plus payment of public’s legal fees, to enable Mr Webber to create, at his own cost, two parking spaces and a retaining wall.

Written By: Philip Ahier

Signature …………………………

Authorised By: (Director/Assistant Director PH)

Signature ………………………… 23 June 2006