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An infamous housing policy called GP11 could be scrapped for at least five years, as opposition to it continues to grow. Deputies now face a debate on a delayed Requête and a newly published amendment to it.
Support for the removal of GP11 has been bolstered by the Presidents of Policy and Resources and the Development and Planning Authority, who hope to reduce the percentage requirement of affordable housing within GP11 to 0% for five years.
Deputy John Dyke continues to lead a Requête against GP11. The signatories of the Requête believe their proposal will speed up the delivery of private housing which they say is being held back by the affordable housing policy in the Island Development Plan – GP11.
GP11 requires housing developments of 20 or more units to hand 20% - 30% of the developable land over to the Guernsey Housing Association for social housing.
In the effort to remove this policy the group is seeking radical changes to how planning laws can be modified by government without the need for “any or all” of the existing procedures.
They want the States to agree that political measures to improve the island’s housing situation should be prioritised above everything else and are hopeful that the desired changes could be implemented at pace.
This includes removing the need for public consultations, lengthy planning inquiries and independent inspectorates.
Pictured: Deputy John Dyke is leading the Requête.
While many agree with the sentiment of the Requête, its wide scope has come under fire for potentially leading to unintended consequences. It was also pulled at the last moment prior to debate in March, so a key report into affordable housing delivery can be published and considered first.
Policy and Resources subsequently sought comment from several committees about the Requête and has published a letter of comment in conjunction with an amendment to the Requête.
“On balance the Commitee cannot support the Requête and the President has discussed its concerns with the lead Requérant,” said Deputy Lyndon Trott.
“These are best summarised as centred on Proposition 3 which has wide application with significant, far reaching, and potentially unintended, consequences.
“Additionally it requires legislation which may deflect resources and impact the current Island Development Plan review, and risks delays to the introduction of change and any resulting shift in the pace of house building.
“Nevertheless it does agree that there is a concern that the Affordable Housing Policy GP11 (GP 11) is obstructive to this Assembly’s prime objective of facilitating housing supply and thereby affordability and consequently the Commitee has put forward other solutions to engaged Commitees for their consideration. It will lodge an Amendment with the support of the Development & Planning Authority.”
You can read the response from the committees to the consultation ONLINE.
That amendment has now been lodged and asks the assembly to agree “the percentage requirement of the affordable housing policy in section 19.12 and Policy GP11 of the Island Development Plan is set at 0% for all proposals subject to the policy until 31st May, 2029”.
Pictured: Deputies Trott (left) and Victoria Oliver have submitted an amendment to the original Requête.
Deputies Trott and Victoria Oliver argue that their amendment will speed up the move to ditch GP11 and reduce the impact of the original Requête.
“This Amendment has immediate effect and, if the DPA in relevant cases takes the view that it should have regard to the direction of the States above or instead of other planning considerations, it will negate time, cost and resources otherwise required to bring forward supporting legislation as required to discharge the Requête as lodged,” they said.
“Effectively by supporting the Amendment the States are recognising the unique set of circumstances that means the contribution requirements of the policy should not be applied for the next five years and are directing the DPA, when GP11 is engaged, to not require any affordable housing contribution as currently required under that policy.”
The Requête and its amendment will be debated on 24 April during the next States debate.
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