Select a region
There won't be any further updates on the review of the Island Development Plan before January - with no changes to it able to be agreed for at least another year.
Explaining the situation during this morning's States meeting, Deputy Victoria Oliver said: "My committee has worked very hard trying to complete this focused review this political term, but we're equally keen to listen so that we get it right and it will now spill into the next political term.
"It would be the newly constitution DPA, who would respond to the further representations after the general election, including the changes to the plans."
The review of the IDP received hundreds of comments from members of the public, and the DPA had already asked for extra time to go through the "significant and contrasting views raised".
That new time frame has now been outlined in greater detail with the President of the Development and Planning Authority also confirming that the current committee won't be the ones making any final decisions on any changes.
Deputy Oliver has said the current members of the DPA will be meeting with key stakeholders and carrying out further analysis over the coming months before providing the independent planning inspector with its responses to the initial representations in January.
That will include confirming any proposed changes to the plans.
If there are any significant changes, the inspector has indicated that this would mean that the initial representations stage in relation to these areas of change would need to be re-run. This could potentially include any changes to site allocations for housing.
If the changes need to be opened up to public consultation again then that would not happen until after next June's election.
The Inspector, Keith Holland, said: “I am pleased that the important points raised in the Initial Representations are being subject to the fullest consideration by the DPA in recognition of the importance of community engagement in determining the right approach to the Island Development Plan Review.
“Whilst I appreciate there will now be a further delay to the Planning Inquiry process, this will facilitate the necessary and comprehensive consideration of all the relevant evidence and representations that were made, with a view to the Inquiry proceeding more efficiently once it resumes.
“Islanders may be reassured that I will maintain my oversight of the overall Planning Inquiry process over the coming months, including seeking periodic updates on the revised timetable agreed with the DPA.
“I remain committed to ensuring that islanders have the fullest opportunity to engage in any further, significant amendments that are published. Accordingly, I have advised the DPA that any further work needs to be presented in a format such that it can be readily understood by a wide audience. Similarly, whilst respecting the legal requirements, I shall be working with the Planning Inquiry team to see how we can simplify the process for making representations.”
Hundreds of opinions shared on IDP Review
Criticism sees IDP form changed with deadline imminent
DPA's review of IDP 'flawed' according to Deputy
Industry experts band together with Deputy St Pier to give IDP input
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.