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The public have until 17:00 to submit formal comments on the review of the island's planning laws – each of which will be considered by an independent planning inspector.
An online portal allows people to submit their views on changes sought by the Development & Planning Authority to the Island Development Plan, with criticisms, alternatives and comments of support welcomed.
It’s important that anyone who has strong views should make them heard now, as later rounds of comments will only be based on this initial segment of comments which will be published in full.
The comments will be handed over to Keith Holland, an independent inspector appointed by Environment & Infrastructure, who will review all the feedback before leading a public inquiry including open meetings with the community.
A second round inviting observations will open on 12 August and run until 9 September. Again, the comments will be reviewed by Mr Holland who will invite a response from the DPA. This will all be published ahead of a week-long public hearing in mid-October.
The public will be able to speak at this event if they tick a box in the feedback form indicating they’re happy to take to the stand during this hearing.
Mr Holland will then produce a report with recommendations which the DPA can choose to include in their final plan which will be taken to the States for debate in early 2025.
Pictured: This is the first review of IDP policies since it was adopted by the States in 2016.
Six new fields zoned for affordable housing across Vale, St Martin, and Castel.
Castel Hospital site added to the L’Aumone local centre.
Land zoned for light industrial, and storage uses, with the Data Park becoming mixed use for housing and industry and designating Lowlands as a Business Park.
51 new Areas of Biodiversity Importance.
Streamlining applications by removing the need development frameworks in most instances, and shortening the timeframe required to change the use of commercial property.
Mr Holland said, so far, the comments submitted are “highly informative” but he wants to get a “full range of views” urging engagement.
“There will be a second opportunity for islanders to share their views, this time with the benefit of seeing the initial representations which will be published for the purposes of commenting further. This represents another important opportunity to become involved and, again, I would encourage those who have views to engage and submit their further representations for me to consider.”
He added that verbal representations at the public hearing will be treated with “equal weight” to any written submissions.
Mr Holland also pledged to hear the views of all those who wish to speak by putting on extra sessions.
“I intend to facilitate an additional plenary hearing session at the end of the topic-based sessions to ensure that all representors who formally indicate they wish to speak will have an opportunity to do so, should they not have had an opportunity at the preceding sessions,” he said.
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