Back to the Drawing Board for Le Rosey

  20.11.2016 Gstaad Living

Writing that it would disturb the landscape, the Cantonal Commission for Protection of Place and Landscape Images (OLK) rejected the "Erli" project at its proposed dimensions.

Philippe Gudin, former director of the school, announced Le Rosey’s frustration at the recent developments.

“We are deeply disappointed, “ said Gudin, “that the canton has chosen not to consider such a forward-thinking project.”

While some have expressed concern that the groups against the project, including neighbours whose properties border the projects as well as the Landscape Protection Switzerland and Helvetia Nostra, had too much influence on the approval procedure, Gudin is not convinced.

“We aren’t looking to place blame,” insisted Gudin, “we must simply accept the decision at hand.”

Before being handed to the OLK, the project had been approved locally by the offices of Municipalities and Spatial Planning, which had rejected all official objections and allowed “Erli” to proceed.

Le Rosey has outgrown its Ried campus in Gstaad, which is bursting at the seams, and has dreamed of constructing a new, modern campus that could host the entire school. For now, the dream will have to wait, as it’s back to the drawing boards for Le Rosey. The school is waiting on a request to purchase land not far from the original site, and should know by January 2017 whether it can obtain the land and integrate it into the construction plans.

This would allow for a campus that is less dense, hitting on key suggestions from the canton that the campus fit better into the landscape and preserve the green meadows at its doorstep. After several adjustments, a scaled-down project could be submitted next year.

“We’re at home here,” Gudin stressed, noting the school has no desire to leave Saanenland. “We absolutely want to build here, and will only leave if no solution can be found.”

The school, which has a large campus on Lake Geneva in Rolle, traditionally spends the winter in the Saanenland – bringing more than 600 total students and staff to the region, and providing a welcome economic boost.

“Don’t worry, we won’t go across the mountain to Valais,” joked Gudin, before mentioning that serious alternative options included a season at sea on a large-scale cruise ship. 


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