Residents set to move into new specialist housing at La Vieille Plage
- Fourteen purpose-built flats for islanders with learning and physical disabilities will welcome residents from 13 May
- La Vieille Plage features individual kitchens and bathrooms, shared communal spaces, 24-hour support and assistive technology throughout
- The development includes Guernsey's first fully inclusive swing, a therapeutic sensory room and accessible gardens
- Residents will move from Sunnybrook at Duchess of Kent House and other supported living arrangements
- The project benefited from collaboration between States of Guernsey, GHA and community donations from Mencap and Co-Op Community Fund
Fourteen islanders with learning and physical disabilities will move into purpose-built flats at La Vieille Plage over a two-week period starting Wednesday 13 May, marking a significant milestone in specialist housing provision in Guernsey.
The development, owned by Guernsey Housing Association (GHA), comprises 14 bespoke one-bedroom flats designed to promote independence, safety and inclusion for residents with a wide range of needs.
Each flat features its own kitchen and bathroom, with shared communal areas to encourage social interaction.
La Vieille Plage has been carefully designed with input from Health & Social Care to accommodate residents with varying levels of need whilst enabling them to live as independently as possible.
The building provides 24-hour on-site support alongside dedicated staff facilities and overnight accommodation.
Specialist features throughout the development include a therapy room, fully accessible ground-floor spaces, a therapeutic sensory room, and assistive technology.
The building also boasts a fully accessible garden with activity and quiet zones, featuring specially selected plants to minimise allergies. The development includes Guernsey's first fully inclusive swing.
Residents will move to La Vieille Plage from Sunnybrook at the Duchess of Kent House, as well as from the wider community and other supported living homes. The development represents a significant step forward in providing modern, inclusive accommodation for islanders with learning disabilities, including those with complex needs.
The project emerged from extensive collaboration between the States of Guernsey, GHA, DRP Architecture, Henderson Green Engineers, WT Partnership and contractor Rihoy & Son.
Numerous States teams contributed to the design and planning, including Adults Learning Disability Services, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language, the States Property Unit, EBME, Purchasing, Finance, HR and Law Officers.
Community support proved instrumental to the project's completion. Mencap donated domestic appliances for every flat, whilst the Co-Op Community Fund enabled local artist James Colmer to create a therapeutic mural in the communal lounge.
La Vieille Plage forms part of the States' Affordable Housing Development Programme, reflecting a commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where islanders with disabilities can thrive.
One future resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am happy I have found my forever home."
Denise O'Sullivan, manager of La Vieille Plage, said: "I'm delighted that it has turned out even better than I had imagined. It has been designed to balance the highest standards of support with the independence our residents deserve.
"It will allow us as staff to provide more time with each service user to ensure that their day will be filled with activities they enjoy, time to teach new skills such as actively preparing meals, maintaining and cleaning their space and living as independently as they possibly can.
"Due to the easier access to the community from La Vielle Plage, service users will be more enabled to become fully part of the community and the wonderful events that take place on the island."
She added: "As each person will have their own flat, they will have time to have their own space when they wish, which could not always be facilitated before, whilst the communal areas keep the social interaction between peers, both long-term and new to ensure that no service user feels isolated.
"Equipped with the latest specialist technology, this home is more than just a building; it is life changing for service users by providing a better quality of life, creating a safe, spacious and homely environment for those that live here."
Lisa de Kooker, chief operating officer at Guernsey Housing Association, said: "This is a significant moment for GHA, and we're thrilled to see the completion of La Vieille Plage.
"These high-quality, purpose-built homes will make a real difference to people's lives, and it marks a first for Guernsey. Every part of the development has been carefully designed and considered to support independence, dignity and day-to-day living, while allowing care to be delivered in the way that works best for our residents."
She added: "We're pleased to have worked alongside the Committees for Health and Social Care and Housing, and a number of other partners to bring this scheme forward. It will be life-changing for those moving in."
Deputy Dr George Oswald, president of the Committee for Health & Social Care, said: "La Vieille Plage is about giving people with a wide range of needs a place where they can feel at home and help improve their quality of life.
"When you design a space around what people need, you have the chance to create something that genuinely supports independence and confidence. I'm proud of everyone who helped bring this to life, and I know it's going to make a real difference for the residents and the staff who work with them every day."
Deputy Rhona Humphreys, Committee for Housing, said: "It's wonderful to see this development completed, it serves as a reminder that homes are about so much more than bricks and mortar. La Vieille Plage provides real tangible quality of life improvements for those that will live there.
"I'm delighted to see what the project team have delivered here in collaboration with the GHA. We know that there is a significant need for more of this kind of specialised housing in the long term. Moving forward, it will be the Committee for Housing that takes the lead on these projects, and I'm looking forward to bringing those challenging housing projects forward in collaboration with our HSC colleagues."
Q&A
Q: When will residents move into La Vieille Plage?
A: Residents will move into their new homes over a two-week period starting Wednesday 13 May 2026.
Q: How many flats does La Vieille Plage provide?
A: The development provides 14 bespoke one-bedroom flats, each with its own kitchen and bathroom, alongside shared communal areas.
Q: What specialist features does the development include?
A: La Vieille Plage features 24-hour on-site support, a therapy room, therapeutic sensory room, assistive technology throughout, fully accessible gardens with activity and quiet zones, and Guernsey's first fully inclusive swing.
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