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Resident submits accommodation plan for Tourgis

ALDERNEY property developer Victor Levine has submitted a fresh proposal to rescue Fort Tourgis and turn it into residential accommodation.

The news emerged as the Policy Committee put the Victorian fort in the hands of international property consultants Knight Frank.

Last July it was revealed that the architectural and engineering division of Dutch company Verweij and Partners, who previously held the exclusive option to develop the building, had gone bankrupt.

Last month Mr Levine resubmitted improved plans to develop Tourgis into 20 to 40 family homes - thereby adding another 200 years to the landmark's lifespan.

He has teamed up with David Harris - a specialist in developing large scale listed buildings, with more than 20 under his belt.

Mr Levine was named the preferred developer out of 28 applications nine years ago when he first submitted plans to develop Tourgis into residential accommodation. But the proposals floundered under drawn-out contract negotiations and Building and Development Control Committee red tape.

His new plans put a heavier emphasis on conservation of the old structure, and no longer include proposals to build a new floor on top of the barrack block and will leave all windows at their current positions and sizes.

Mr Levine said: 'We are ready to release money to purchase Tourgis and we could start work on it this summer.

'It would be a tremendous boost to Alderney businesses, the economy as a whole, and to the confidence of people here if Tourgis was finally developed - and it could help kick start other major projects on the island.

'During construction around £5million would be spent on local contractors and suppliers. Conge would be boosted every time the homes changed hands. This is a project which could really help Alderney at a time when we need it most.'

Paul Arditti, Policy Committee chairman, said he would prefer to see the resurrection of Fort Tourgis as a business contributing in that way to the economy of the island but accepted it may not achievable.

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