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A 10-year plan to ensure resilience at both of Guernsey's main harbours is out today - with proposals open to public consultation before the States vote to back or scrap it next April.
The latest in a long line of harbour visions keeps open the question of whether St Peter Port Harbour should remain the island's main passenger and freight base - or whether St Sampson's Harbour, or even Longue Hougue are better locations for travel and logistics hubs of the future.
The draft Local Planning Brief (LBP) has been prepared by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design with input from key stakeholders, including the Guernsey Development Agency and members of the public through drop in sessions earlier this year.
Aside from referencing a potential move of harbour services in the future, it makes recommendations around protecting St Peter Port's historic and cultural importance, reducing the impact of the power station in St Sampson's and reducing the risks from the fuel storage sites also need the Bridge - all while looking at ways of delivering a Future Harbour for Guernsey.
Other themes involved in the LBP focus on marine related industries, the marine environment, efficient land use, leisure activities, safe transport links, active travel options, improved green spaces, and flood mitigation measures.
Deputy Victoria Oliver, President of the Development and Planning Authority, told Express that the LPB is aimed at identifying opportunities for 'change' among these six themes, bringing 'enhancement' of the previously identified Harbour Action Areas.
She also said it will facilitate and encourage coordinated development to come forward along the east coast.
"The overall aim is to facilitate the two harbours, looking at them in a bit more detail of the high level 'what can actually to there to make sure development can come forward in a comprehensive and coordinated approach," said Deputy Oliver.
Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design Director, Hilary Satchwell said resilience is a key theme running throughout the LPB.
But she stressed that doesn't mean our harbours aren't currently resilient.
"We're saying we need to think into the future about what we need to make sure we're resilient into the future.
"Things are changing, decarbonisation might change how lots of people arrive, how lots of things leave, what fuels we need, flood risks might change the situation at different times, so it's more about making sure we are resilient into the future."
The Local Planning Brief for St Peter Port and St Sampson's Harbours can be read HERE.
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