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A review of Guernsey's Island Development Plan has found that its policies are "generally performing as intended" and that there is no current immediate need to make any changes to it.
The Annual Monitoring Report for 2021 was published this week, and can be read in conjunction with previous AMRs.
Pictured: The 2021 AMR, and previous ones, can be read HERE.
The 2021 AMR has found that the policies around which the IDP is built, are working and that they contribute towards the wider Strategic Land Use Plan.
A review of the IDP is planned but the AMR found there is no"immediate requirement to amend the IDP and there is no evidence of a need to amend the SLUP".
The success of the IDP can be measured in different ways - one being how many planning applications meet the criteria at the time of submission.
The 2021 AMR found that the number of applications being refused has decreased compared to the year before.
In 2021 only 54 applications were refused out of 1,789 applications which was a 3.02% refusal rate, down from 4.3% in 2019/2020.
Only four appeals against refusal of planning permission were decided during 2021, two were allowed and two were dismissed.
The Development and Planning Authority said "this illustrates how the positive and flexible policies of the IDP, along with encouragement of high-quality pre-application discussions (652 pre application enquires were answered in 2021), have enabled an appropriate and effective balancing of land use demands and positive outcomes to be reached for the vast majority of planning applications, and potentially costly appeals avoided whilst continuing to support delivery of the States priorities."
The AMR found a number of trends within the work of the DPA around the IDP.
Many did reveal changes from the time the IDP was adopted, in 2016 and the DPA said those emerging trends will be considered when the future review of the IDP is carried out.
This will include:
Pictured: Deputy Victoria Oliver, President of the Development and Planning Authority.
The DPA is holding a public drop-in between 10:00 and 12:00 tomorrow, at the the inner street of the Market Buildings, to give people the opportunity to speak with them.
All members of the DPA will be available to speak with members of the public, including President Deputy Victoria Oliver, Vice President Deputy Andrew Taylor and committee members, Deputy John Dyke, Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller and Deputy Bob Murray.
Deputy Oliver said they'll try and answer any questions.
"We know that the decisions taken regarding development and planning have an impact on most, if not all, islanders at some point in our lives, whether that's to do with our own homes or potential new developments on the island. The DPA's role is a balancing act to be an enabler both to individuals, businesses and the economy as a whole, but also to preserve our heritage and enhance the look and feel of Guernsey which makes it such a great place to live.
"This informal drop-in is an opportunity for us to engage with islanders to answer any questions they may have, including about the planning process, how policies are applied, and what exactly our role is as political members of the DPA. We really want to hear from people, so please do come along and speak to us on Saturday."
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