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A call has been made by the DPA for the public and politicians to make use of a once in a decade chance to reshape planning laws as the island battles a housing crisis.
That’s the message from the Development & Planning Authority Vice-President Deputy Andrew Taylor as a public inquiry launches into changing the island’s planning laws off the back of several proposed changes put forward by the DPA.
“This is a real plea for members of the public to get involved in this process and contact your deputies. Share your thoughts with them, ask them to make representations and make representations yourself because this is your chance to influence these policies,” he said.
“There's been lots of negative comments about the planning laws and how difficult it is to make changes. But we are actually in that process so don't miss this opportunity."
He called on politicians specifically to get their comments in fast.
“Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the process. It's in train and this is the quickest way for them to enact changes... And it’s always a common theme on internet forums, comments on local media, where people vocalise their dissatisfaction with the island development plan and saying it needs changing.
“This is the time.”
You can comment on the proposals HERE.
Pictured: The Island Development Plan is the central planning document which everyone needs to abide by.
A public inquiry has launched into the proposed changes to the Island Development Plan, but public suggestions, concerns and comments will be considered and could be incorporated to the final proposals.
But suggestions for changes can only be made in the initial period of representations which opened yesterday.
Written suggestions and comments between 24 June and 29 July.
Opportunity to comment on the initial representations between 12 August and 9 September.
All the comments will be reviewed by a planning inspector, with the DPA directly responding to them and publishing the responses. Only observations can be submitted in the second period in response to the initial comments.
Public hearing with independent planning inspector Keith Holland in mid-October. He will then produce a report with recommendations for the DPA which it can choose to include or not in their final plan.
Those who originally submitted representations can apply to speak at the public hearing.
The DPA will then take a policy letter to the States in early 2025, but deputies can put forward their own amendments to planning policies.
Pictured: Deputy Victoria Oliver presenting the changes last week.
DPA President Deputy Victoria Oliver said a “phenomenal amount of work” had gone into the plans and thanked planning staff for delivering it.
But she welcomed the opportunity for challenge and change, while viewing the DPA’s own recommendations as a chance to cut “red tape” and “bureaucracy.
“We’d really like to encourage islanders to have a look at the proposed changes and have your say. While your comments will be considered by an independent inspector, we want to make sure that this is not the DPA’s plan, but Guernsey’s plan reflecting what Guernsey wants and needs,” she said.
“While housing is an important component of this work, this review is about much more. We are also taking steps to support our island’s biodiversity without preventing development from taking place and ensuring there is enough land for Guernsey’s business needs.”
Six new fields zoned for affordable housing across Vale, St Martin, and Castel.
Castel Hospital site added to the L’Aumone local centre.
Land zoned for light industrial, and storage uses, with the Data Park becoming mixed use for housing and industry and designating Lowlands as a Business Park.
51 new Areas of Biodiversity Importance.
Streamlining applications by removing the need development frameworks in most instances, and shortening the timeframe required to change the use of commercial property.
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