Guernsey States seeks fourth extension for commercial vehicle parking at Pitronnerie Road industrial site

Guernsey States seeks fourth extension for commercial vehicle parking at Pitronnerie Road industrial site
A Google street view image of commercial parking at Pitronnerie Road from 2024.
  • States of Guernsey has submitted fourth planning application to extend commercial vehicle parking at Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate for two more years
  • Current temporary permission expires on 11 March 2026, with the 7,229 square metre site used for parking buses and removal vehicles
  • Site has operated as temporary parking facility since September 2019 through series of extensions
  • Pitronnerie Road designated as Strategic Industrial Reserve, awaiting development of permanent industrial framework
  • States Property Unit maintains the temporary use will not prejudice future comprehensive development of the site
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The States has submitted a fourth planning application to extend temporary permission for using land at Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate as commercial vehicle parking facility for an additional two years.

The application, submitted on 18 March 2026 seeks to continue using the 7,229 square metre site for parking commercial vehicles, including buses and removal lorries and vans.

The current temporary permission expired on 11 March 2026, marking this as the fourth extension request since the original approval in September 2019.

The site has operated as a temporary parking facility through a series of extensions. The original permission was granted for two years under Use Class 22 in September 2019. A second extension was approved in December 2021, expiring in February 2024, followed by a third extension approved in December 2023, which expires on 11 March 2026.

The Pitronnerie Road site is designated as a Strategic Industrial Reserve, with the temporary parking use intended to continue "until such time as a development framework has been approved" for permanent industrial development.

In the covering letter accompanying the application, Matthieu Le Poidevin, Head of Property Portfolio Management for the States Property Unit, stated: "The States Property Unit remain of the opinion that the use proposed would not inhibit the implementation of development for industrial or storage and distribution uses, and also would not prejudice the comprehensive development of the site in the future."

The site is located within the St Peter Port area.

No Environmental Impact Assessment is required for this extension, according to the application, and the development has already commenced under previous permissions.

Representations must be made to The Planning Service by 21 April.

Background and history

The Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate has evolved over five decades since Rihoy & Son constructed the first industrial building there in 1971. By 1976, businesses like Guernsey Auto-Elec had relocated to the estate, establishing it as the island's pre-eminent industrial area. Intersurgical, initially called Lifeline Ltd, moved from Braye Road Industrial Estate to Pitronnerie Road sometime after starting operations in Guernsey in 1983, employing over 100 staff at its peak before closing in October 2022 due to global economic pressures. The adjacent parking site that the States now seeks to extend began life as part of the Bouet Housing estate until 2012. During the redevelopment of Bouet, it served as a contractor's yard for materials storage. After this development concluded, the States began using the 7,229 square metre site as temporary commercial vehicle parking, initially receiving permission in September 2019. The site is designated as a Strategic Industrial Reserve under the Island Development Plan, but has continued operating through successive extensions in December 2021 and December 2023. The area has faced ongoing pressures with businesses like R&R Removals struggling to find adequate commercial parking elsewhere, particularly after Admiral Park development displaced previous arrangements. Recent years have seen significant changes with major closures including Intersurgical in 2022 and Cimandis in 2025, while planners continue developing frameworks for residential development on adjacent fields south of the industrial estate.

Earliest reference:
The earliest relevant precedent found was the construction of the first industrial building at Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate by Rihoy & Son in 1971, marking the beginning of the estate's development as Guernsey's premier industrial area.

Key terms

Use Class 22
A planning classification system in Guernsey that categorizes different types of land use. Use Class 22 specifically refers to general storage or distribution purposes, typically including warehousing and similar activities.
These use classes help determine what types of development can occur where on the island and are used by the Development and Planning Authority when assessing planning applications.
Strategic Industrial Reserve
Land designated for future industrial development that is being kept in reserve until needed. This land cannot be used for other purposes permanently but may have temporary uses approved until industrial development is required.
Given Guernsey's limited land area, strategic reserves ensure industrial land remains available for economic development while allowing temporary uses like parking until the land is needed for its intended purpose.
Environmental Impact Assessment
A detailed study required for certain large developments that examines potential effects on the environment, wildlife, and local communities. It identifies mitigation measures needed to minimize harmful impacts.
Given Guernsey's unique ecology and beautiful environment, EIAs help protect the island's natural heritage while allowing necessary development to proceed responsibly.

Q&A

Q: How long has the Pitronnerie Road site been used for temporary parking?
A: The site has been used as a temporary commercial vehicle parking facility since September 2019, when the original permission was first granted for two years.

Q: What types of vehicles use the parking facility?
A: The 7,229 square metre site is used for parking commercial vehicles, including buses and removal lorries and vans.

Q: Why does the site keep getting temporary extensions rather than permanent approval?
A: The site is designated as a Strategic Industrial Reserve and the temporary parking is intended to continue until a development framework has been approved for permanent industrial development.

Pitronnerie Road Commercial Vehicle Parking Permission Extensions

Timeline showing the progression of temporary parking permission applications and approvals from 2019 to 2026.

September 2019
Original permission granted for two years under Use Class 22
December 2021
Second extension approved, expiring February 2024
December 2023
Third extension approved, expiring March 11, 2026
March 11, 2026
Current temporary permission expires
March 18, 2026
Fourth extension application submitted for additional two years