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Just 17 people made recommendations to the Development and Planning Authority when it was considering the Draft Development Frameworks for two sites around La Vrangue and Pitronnerie Road.
Those two DDFs have now been approved and could lead to 600 new homes being built.
The approval of a DDF itself does not mean any building work is going to start imminently, instead it paves the way for future planning applications relating to housing in these areas.
A planning application is more likely to succeed if it closely follows the guidance made by a DDF.
Pictured: The two sites are called La Vrangue (to the left) and Pitronnerie Road (to the right).
The DDF for the field lying between La Vrangue and Pitronnerie Road - published as Pitronnerie Road Development Framework HERE - has intimated that up to 60 units could be built, while the DDF for the larger area, labelled as La Vrangue Development Framework available HERE suggests that this land could hold up to 527 units.
Both sites would comprise a mix of flats and houses with car and bicycle parking, gardens, and shared amenity spaces.
The scale of development has been considered alongside Traffic Impact Assessments for both sites, with consultants acknowledging that the area is already affected by "relatively high traffic flows".
Traffic is one aspect which many members of the public have cited in their opposition to any development in these areas, along with concerns over flooding, over crowding, and the impact on wildlife.
Of the 100+ comments on the States of Guernsey Facebook post in relation to the approved DDFs, just two are positive.
Mike Jackson described it as "brilliant news, desperately needed, get building folks", while Michelle Johnson wrote that "everyone is going to moan about any area to build houses but we need more homes and but not extortionate rent prices? I know a lot of people leaving their home/island because they can’t find a house that is affordable".
Their voices were overwhelmed by numerous other commenters who disagreed.
During the 12-week consultation period ahead of the DDFs being approved, 19 representations were received from members of the public. The DPA has confirmed that those 19 representations were made by 17 individuals.
Further consultation was carried out with States bodies and public agencies.
All of the points raised on social media since the announcement was made yesterday afternoon, were also raised during the consultation period.
These included: the potential impact of traffic, flood risk and drainage, development of ‘greenfield’ land, and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to submit their comments on the draft Development Frameworks," said DPA President, Deputy Victoria Oliver. "It’s important that we receive as much feedback as possible to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.
“La Vrangue is a housing allocation site and both this and the Pitronnerie Road site are within the St Peter Port Main Centre Outer Area and are not designated as Important Open Land. In principle therefore both sites can be developed for residential purposes to help meet the island’s housing needs.”
“We are here to be enablers and not blockers, and Development Frameworks help us to do just that, paving the way for the right types of developments to come forward to help address our need for housing.”
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