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A newly-formed group fighting to save a green space in the north of St. Peter Port hopes its campaign could be the start of an island-wide effort to protect all green fields from development.
A Draft Development Framework published by the States' Development & Planning Authority suggests that between 45 and 88 houses could be built on agricultural fields which cover an area of 1.6 hectares between La Vrangue and Pitronnerie Road (pictured above).
“Since announcing our formation, we've had so many emails and comments of support,” said Lucy Cave of the Pitronnerie Protection Group.
“It seems like many islanders agree with us that new housing undoubtedly needs to be a priority but the sites being chosen should be brown fields as opposed to green fields.”
Pictured: The Pitronnerie Protection Group is interested in expanding its campaign beyond the potential development of up to 88 homes in green fields in the north of St. Peter Port and rallying islanders to demand changes in planning policy to develop brown field sites before green fields.
On Thursday evening, the Pitronnerie Protection Group was collecting signatures of support from late-night shoppers in Town. It has been encouraged by the support it has generated not only for its initial aim but for a policy change to focus development on brown fields rather than green fields.
“We've developed a petition to give the people of Guernsey a place to show their objection to developing on greenfield sites as we believe there are many voices that would join ours if given the chance,” said Ms Cave.
The Draft Development Framework for the green fields at Pitronnerie Road is now closed to public consultation but has not yet been approved by the Development & Planning Authority.
When publishing the Draft, the Authority said: “Once finalised, the Framework will provide planning guidance on how the site could be developed to meet local housing needs, as well as guidance on the provision of open space, access and highway arrangements, biodiversity and landscaping.”
Pictured: Looking east from Rue Thomas across the fields in Pitronnerie Road which the Development & Planning Authority has identified as a potential site for a housing development of up to 88 homes.
Deputy Lester Queripel, a St. Peter Port North deputy before the introduction of island-wide voting last year, said he fully supports the Pitronnerie Protection Group.
He spoke to Express after receiving replies to written questions he submitted to the Development & Planning Authority about its Draft Development Framework for the green field site.
“I despair at green field developments. It just shouldn’t be happening. It’s really just more ribbon development creep. Leave the fields alone,” said Deputy Queripel.
“There’s a total contradiction between concentrating development on green fields and the Island Development Plan. In the Island Development Plan, you must have a green lung running through every parish – you’re supposed to have space. You’re not supposed to be surrounded by concrete and buildings all the time.”
In previous States’ terms, Deputy Queripel had two spells as a member of the Development & Planning Authority. He said he was “frustrated and outvoted 4 to 1 on most things”.
Pictured: Deputy Lester Queripel is sceptical about Draft Development Frameworks generally, including the Framework for the fields in Pitronnerie Road.
Deputy Queripel said it was “a nonsense” to encourage or permit development of green fields before brown fields.
“I know exactly what the argument will be,” he said. “The argument will be that if you look across the road just alongside the Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate you’ll see a green field. But if you take that to its logical conclusion, that green field will also be gone some time in the future.
“Look, the site in question is arable land, agricultural land. It can be farmed. Until recently, there were all sorts of things growing in there. It’s not as though it’s just useless land. If it was deserted wasteland, that’s something totally different.”
Deputy Queripel is a critic of Draft Development Frameworks generally.
“They are a list of suggestions of what could possibly be done on a site. Why waste civil servants’ and planning officers’ time drawing up a list of suggestions and ideas for what could be done on a site when an architect could do that for a client if they want to submit a planning application?
“You’re taking hours of planning offices’ time when they should be doing other things.”
Further Draft Development Frameworks are expected shortly for residential development near the green fields at Pitronnerie Road.
In replying to Deputy Queripel’s written questions, the President of the Development & Planning Authority, Deputy Victoria Oliver, said: “Currently, officers are preparing a draft document for La Vrangue Housing Allocation for public consultation, expected to be published shortly, with possible additional Development Frameworks coming forward in future because of the work of the Housing Action Group.”
Pictured: Deputy Victoria Oliver, President of the Development & Planning Authority, has been open about the Authority's wish to help remove hurdles in the way of developers and kick-start new housing projects to satisfy booming demand across the island.
When launching the Housing Action Group, the States said: “It is responsible for researching options to provide quick and innovative solutions towards meeting the current increase in demand and shortage of supply for suitable and affordable accommodation.
“The Group will define what can be delivered in the short term (12 months), what can be set in motion for the medium term and will also examine the potential to reduce timescales for current planning and development requirements.”
The Housing Action Group cannot report to or take proposals to the States’ Assembly. It is effectively a discussion forum for the Presidents of four committees: the Policy & Resources Committee, the Committee for Employment & Social Security, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure and the Development & Planning Authority.
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