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A draft 'Local Planning Brief' for both St Peter Port and St Sampson's Harbours has been published today, containing proposals for what could happen at the harbours over the next ten years.
It sets out to 'identify opportunities for change and enhancement of the Harbour Action Areas and will facilitate and encourage coordinated development to come forward along the east coast' said the States' press release announcing its publication.
If you're still not sure that means, read on...
You might see a Local Planning Brief abbreviated to LPB and in this case it covers the Harbour Action Areas (HAAs) of St Peter Port and St Sampson.
An LBP isn't unique to Guernsey with other jurisdictions in the UK and much further afield also using them to guide planning and development.
Essentially, a planning brief is a document which summarises guidelines and government requirements for the development of a particular site or collection of sites.
The document sets out more specific requirements for these two areas than is included in the IDP and builds on further technical evidence and consultation around the challenges and potential of these two important areas for Guernsey - 'Introduction to the LPB and it's purpose'.
Where a site is of a sensitive nature - including historically, culturally, environmentally, or economically - a planning brief can offer more detailed guidance while taking consideration of those themes.
This draft LBP is to be used by the States of Guernsey as a strategic policy document to identify opportunities for change and enhancement of the Harbour Action Areas and will shape development in those locations over the next decade.
The Development and Planning Authority is in charge of this policy document having been tasked by the States to prepare the Local Planning Brief.
Now the draft has been published, it's open to public consultation, before the Planning Inspector takes a look at it, and then the States will vote on the final document.
If the States approve the Local Planning Brief it will become an addendum to the Island Development Plan.
This simply means both the St Peter Port and St Sampson's Harbours and the surrounding areas.
Both of the ports are crucial entities in island infrastructure - with the majority of freight coming ashore in St Peter Port, fuel and other 'dirty freight' being docked in St Sampson's, and all passengers using any ferry or cruise service landing and leaving in town.
Don't forget the majority of commercial fishing boats and other marine industries, and the majority of pleasure boaters are also predominantly based around these two harbours.
The Harbour Action Areas (HAA) extend beyond the ports in town and at the Bridge though.
In St Sampson's, the HAA reaches from Vale Castle to Longue Hougue, enveloping the power station on North Side and the fuel storage sites on Bulwer Avenue.
In St Peter Port, the HAA starts at Salerie Corner and ends at the Clarence Battery, with the whole of St Peter Port Harbour and all of the Piers, and Castle Cornet and the breakwater included, along with the High Street and surrounding shopping areas.
The draft LBP for the HAAs has been produced by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design.
They're a UK based consultancy with experience working in Guernsey already having been involved in plans for Leale's Yard and regenerating St Peter Port.
Pictured (l-r): Deputy Victoria Oliver and Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design Director, Hilary Satchwell.
Tibbalds worked with key stakeholders, including the Guernsey Development Agency, Guernsey Ports, marine traders, the boat owners association, and members of the public in drawing up the 84 page draft LPB (and the hundreds of pages of appendices).
The members of the public who were involved attended discussions on the scope of the LBP and its proposals earlier this year.
The Development and Planning Authority has been closely involved as the lead States body on this project.
Tibbalds have written the LPB based on the key issues affecting both harbours and how they work. They've said the project was informed by the harbours’ roles in servicing the island, providing access to the water and water based activities, leisure and industry, and as a resource for both islanders and visitors.
The draft LPB for St Peter Port and St Sampson's Harbours makes a few firm suggestions, which Express will explore over the coming days.
It also makes many more vague proposals for what could happen in the future, with some of those suggestions based on other States work streams progressing, or not.
Pictured: St Peter Port and St Sampson's Harbours.
The idea of relocation harbour services from St Peter Port to St Sampson's is touched on frequently as a potential decision which may be made in the future, and the LPB has been written so that it would still hold relevance if that were to happen.
The draft LPB also references moving the power station from North Side, or reducing the impact of it where it currently is. Longue Hougue is mooted as a location for this if it were to happen, but it's not one of the firm proposals.
More likely to happen is the relocation of the fuel storage sites from Bulwer Avenue to Longue Hougue.
Other proposals include modernising the existing infrastructure at both harbours, updating transport links and offering active travel choices, provide opportunities for housing developments, and create new economic opportunities while also working with existing business and leisure activities.
The full Local Planning Brief for the Harbours Action Plan can be downloaded HERE.
Members of the public can comment on the draft LPB - and shape changes to it before the States vote in April.
It is open to public comments from until 14 October.
Any queries regarding the draft Local Planning Brief should be directed to: planning.inquiries@gov.gg
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