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A Draft Development Framework paving the way for up to 150 new homes at a site in the Saltpans has been slammed by the northern parishes.
The Vale and St Sampson's Douzaines are unhappy that feedback to a draft development framework for the site appears to have been "ignored".
The Development & Planning Authority released a document last week setting out the parameters inside which a planning application for the site would likely be successful.
It said a planning application for 84 to 150 properties would be suitable for the 2.8 hectare site as long as certain conditions are met.
However, officials from both northern parishes have expressed disappointment that despite documented objections from the Douzaines, Planners had gone ahead and approved a planning framework for the area which significantly impacted the north.
"Once again our Planning Department have totally ignored the views of the tax- and rate-payers, along with those of a property owner of part of the site," said Vale Senior Constable Richard Leale.
Pictured: It is feared that major development at the Saltpans site will lead to further congestion on Braye Road.
"The sense of disappointment and being let down by the DPA is all the more profound because the Douzaine did indeed write and object to this large scale development when the powers that be haven't as yet even managed to get Leale's Yard off the ground."
This was echoed by St Sampson's formal response to the draft planning framework when it went out to consultation.
"Our first reaction is disappointment that the Development and Planning Authority continues to produce development frameworks despite the fact they and the States of Guernsey are aware the Island Development Plan needs an urgent review as it is currently not fit for purpose."
The Douzaines feel that the traffic impact of ldevelopments including Pointues Rocques, Camp Dolent, Cleveleys Vinery and Richmond House had been "glossed over" by planners
They fear that large scale house building virtually opposite the Saltpans, at Tertre Lane, and the recently approved 29-home project at Cleveleys in particular will lead to more vehicles on the already saturated Braye Road.
St Sampson's Douzaine said making detailed comment to the DPA "seemed futile" on the back of all the comments provided to proposed developments in the past 12 months.
The Douzaine concluded: "We believe the current Island Development Plan is causing long term irreparable damage to St Sampson."
Pictured: Deputy Dawn Tindall, President of the DPA, which was constituted as part of the changes to Guernsey's government in 2016.
In a letter to the Douzaine confirming that the framework for the Saltpans had been approved, the DPA said that the comments expressed during the second consultation period mainly focused on housing density and the variation in the potential density; traffic generation and the impact of the development on the surrounding road network; infrastructure improvements; waste management and the potential for contaminated land; the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment; and a Green Industry Business Strategy for the Saltpans.
It added: "All of the matters raised were fully considered by the Authority before the Final Framework was approved."
Mr Leale said that most parishioners reading that would conclude that "full considered" actually meant "ignored".
"It really is time the DPA started listening to people in the area and recognised that the north is being harmed by overdevelopment and too much traffic," he said.
Further information available on the Vale parish website about the Douzaine's response.
Pictured top: The Saltpans site.
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