Enhancing St Sampsons

To achieve our objectives and mandate to enhance the east coast of St Sampsons, we have been working to develop a series of projects in the local area.

In Spring 2026, we submitted these to the States of Guernsey as a coordinated plan for the development of the east coast of St Sampson’s.

The comprehensive refurbishment and development blueprint is designed to solve issues faced by our community by converting existing infrastructure liabilities into thriving community assets.

It joined the logistical and financial dots. Instead of treating waste, housing, transport and flood defences as separate, expensive problems, our holistic plan links them together.

Whilst we await Guernsey’s Future Harbours Strategy, the East Coast Flood Defence Strategy, future energy supply plans and the potential relocation of fuel storage ‘blast zones’ that limit development in their vicinity, we have identified those projects within it that can add real value in the short term and deliver physical enhancements to the community.

To ensure momentum is kept whilst these wider strategy and policy decisions are made, we have created a sequence of enhancements that can deliver real improvements for the island. Learn more about these below.

St Sampson deserves the same high-quality public amenities, modern infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces enjoyed by St Peter Port. We aim to provide family friendly spaces where existing and new residents can enjoy whilst also creating a destination for other islanders, tourists and visiting boats.

The projects: Phase 1

Learn more about our proposed enhancement projects we will deliver whilst awaiting wider strategy and policy decisions.

St Sampson deserves the same high-quality public amenities, modern infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces enjoyed by St Peter Port. We aim to provide family friendly spaces where existing and new residents can enjoy whilst also creating a destination for other islanders, tourists and visiting boats.

A new family-focused community area featuring a children’s play area and café.

Currently, there is a lack of facilities for young families in the area. By introducing a new children’s play area and adjoining cafe, we can create a community hub for the children of today and tomorrow.

Improvements to the Bridge retail area

Traffic congestion at the Bridge retail area takes away from what could be a thriving pedestrianised waterfront destination that supports existing and new retail and hospitality businesses. Reviewing how traffic can flow around this prime area will help unlock its potential. Answering calls from the public, we want to significantly improve the pedestrian and retail experience within Guernsey’s northern retail area to offer quality bars, restaurants, and cafes and range of retail, and pedestrianisation to better utilise the waterside location.

Vale Castle improvements

Dating back to the 15th century, Vale Castle is one of the island’s most iconic historic treasures. We have plans to maintain and preserve its unique heritage while expanding community access. A lack of modern infrastructure severely limits how often the public can safely and comfortably enjoy it. We want to equip the site with crucial infrastructure upgrades including plumbed toilet facilities, a suitable power supply for hosting events without generators, internet connectivity for on-site events and shelter for reliable weather protection. Accessibility will be improved for wheelchair users, parents with prams, and visitors of all abilities by upgrading the footpaths.

This allows the castle to host local businesses, weddings, community groups, and tourists on a regular basis all summer long, maximising its potential as a true island asset.

La Crocq and Abraham’s Bosom

By reviewing how we use these piers, we see opportunities for more inclusive, alternative uses of this beautiful, prime waterside spot. This could still include parking for boat users gaining access to their boats, but the area could be used for community open-air events such as such as ‘Sea Front Saturday with alfresco food and drink opportunities. The iconic range light and clock tower will of course be retained to preserve and promote heritage.

We’re planning a better overall layout for the Bridge area to provide al fresco areas, safe and scenic waterside active travel opportunities and easier public transport opportunities.

A network of scenic cycle path and walking paths

Opening up safer, cleaner commuting between St Sampsons and St Peter Port will reduce traffic congestion and encourage islanders and visitors to come and enjoy the newly enhanced area.

Relocating parking to more appropriate areas

A lot of St Sampson’s scenic waterfront is taken up with parked cars which block the view and opportunity. Rearranging some of this car parking would allow the coastal cycling and walking promenade, waterside dining and community hubs we have had endorsed. We also want to provide an EV hub with electric vehicle charging points, bike racks, e-bike charging, and an app-based bike rental facility.

A sheltered bus station

A new covered bus station will serve as a central travel hub to improve the public transport experience.

Marine centre

Guernsey has a proud maritime history, but our current marine engineering and boat storage facilities are fragmented over six cramped locations, severely limiting our local businesses. Creating a Marine Centre of Excellence will bring our marine traders, maintenance teams, and private winter storage together. This coordinated land use will realise the full potential of St Sampsons and The Bridge, offering better facilities for marine businesses and boat owners and creating public spaces the community can be proud of. By consolidating these operations in one place, we directly unlock the prime waterfront spaces at the Bridge for the other enhancement initiatives.

This could include a boat lift crane alongside a specialised slipway capable of servicing standard leisure craft as well as vital commercial vessels.

Featuring modern industrial sheds, warehouses, professional marine offices, a fully stocked chandlery, and custom retail spaces, this hub will bring efficiencies. It could also feature an advanced dry-stack boat storage system to house vessels securely.

Next steps

In July 2026, the Guernsey Development Agency’s Political Oversight Group endorsed these projects and given us the green light to progress.

We will now be engaging with stakeholders, landowners and relevant authorities to discuss options to produce more detailed plans and costings for each project that will be contained in a ‘Business and Funding Plan’. Once this business and funding plan is approved by the States Assembly, full designs will be created in close consultation with our neighbours, local experts and the wider community.

Phase 2, consisting of longer-term projects will progress when the island has made key strategic decisions on our future energy and harbours.

Have your say

The Guernsey Development Agency is a delivery team for Guernsey and we want to hear your views. We act as ‘the people’s ear’, ensuring our progress is built on community trust.

We know success comes from directly engaging with stakeholders including future users of the projects, which is why your feedback directly shapes how the enhancement of our coastline progresses.

We welcome constructive questioning and ideas that can shape Guernsey’s east coast enhancement.