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Changes have been made to the feedback form for planning law changes following criticism from the public, business, and politicians – with one Deputy saying it made her “lose the will to live”.
Guernsey Chamber of Commerce members raised concerns during a presentation earlier this month of the complexity of the forms. That coupled with other criticisms that the site is difficult by design, not user friendly, and has led to people giving up on completing it, has prompted some simplifications.
Douzaines also expressing concerns have been told there can be no extension for public comments if the work is to be completed ahead of the 2025 general election.
The deadline for representations remains next Monday.
Environment & Infrastructure is responsible for the public planning inquiry element of the planning law review and confirmed that officers made small changes last week to the feedback process to give people the ability to make general comments about areas of proposed changes rather than having to go through the 300+ proposed changes to make a representation.
But it says it is unable to offer further alterations.
“We have to follow the requirements of the law, and bear in mind that the Development & Planning Authority have put forward more than 300 proposals which the inquiry is seeking the public's views on,” President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said.
“The forms follow the structure and format of forms used in the original inquiry for the IDP, and indeed that used in planning inquiries in the UK... E&I officers have worked to the timelines requested by the D&PA to deliver the inquiry.”
Pictured: Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.
Many took to social media to air their frustrations.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Vice President of Policy & Resources, wrote "good luck to anyone trying to submit their comments on the IDP online.
"Aside from the fact there are multiple sections that make you want to lose the will to live, some pages crash and it's difficult to keep track of where you are.
"The deadline is statutory and designed to enable tight deadline to be met but I'm sure the DPA could extend. I am concerned that things are being rushed and the outcome won't be as good as a result.”
Deputy Steve Falla said he had a similar experience and "eventually gave up".
Others argued the feedback process amounted to a box ticking exercise, while others took aim at the deadline being during the school holidays.
Deputy de Sausmarez noted that similar forms have been used in the past, and since it’s a formal public inquiry a rigid structure is mandated.
“The inquiry form and portal follow the legal requirements around the administration of planning inquiries – indeed, the same paper form was used in the previous IDP public inquiry,” she said.
“A planning inquiry is a legal process and the planning inspector is legally obliged to consider feedback on the specific proposed amendments to the IDP as part of his decision making process and to inform his inspector’s report. This is unlike other States’ consultations which may be less formal and structured.”
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