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Deputies opposed to plans to develop housing on a green field in the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital are reigniting their campaign.
Policy & Resources has submitted an application for outline permission to build a three- and four-storey building to provide 66 units of key worker accommodation on land adjacent to Duchess of Kent House.
Once a site notice is displayed, there will be a 21 day period for those objecting to make a submission.
The plans are the first phase of building on the field, with two other parts earmarked for future development.
In July Deputy Steve Falla led a requete to protect the land from development, but failed to win over the States.
Having learnt of the planning application, he immediately responded on Twitter.
“I will be challenging this through the proper process and encouraging others to do so,” he said.
Deputy Falla strongly questioned the timing of the application with the consultation period falling over the Christmas holidays.
"I am determined however and will be urging those who feel strongly about this to take the time to make their voices heard.”
He argued that the consultation period should begin on 1 January given the likely level of public interest.
Have just learned that the DPA has received a submission seeking outline planning permission to build keyworker housing on the PEH valley field. I will be challenging this through the proper process and encouraging others to do so. pic.twitter.com/beOVwcruaU
— Steve Falla (@steve_falla) December 16, 2022
Another requete signatory was Deputy Heidi Soulsby, a former President of Health & Social Care.
She described the timing of the application as “terrible” being just before Christmas when those interested may not be around.
The three week consultation period should be extended, she added.
Indeed. Application signed by Deputy Ferbrache which is interesting. Normally would be done at officer level. Timing is terrible, just before Christmas when interested parties may not be around. 3 week consultation period should be extended.
— Deputy Heidi Soulsby MBE (@HeidiSoulsby) December 16, 2022
Development & Planning Authority member Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said that the consultation period requests would be considered by the committee.
DPA President Deputy Victoria Oliver also confirmed it would "make a judgement call" once it knew when the site notice was displayed.
Lots of comments on this. For clarification. It all depends when the application site notice is erected. Once it goes in the ground 21 days starts from then. The committee will make a judgment call as and when we know the date. https://t.co/LJp4ZtGaqT
— Victoria Oliver (@victoria1oliver) December 16, 2022
On announcing the planning application, P&R member Deputy Dave Mahoney said that there was a clear need to develop more of this kind of accommodation urgently.
He added that the closer the units were to the hospital, the more they are likely to support vital recruitment.
His committee is working in tandem with Health & Social Care on the proposal.
Pictured: P&R has applied for outline planning permission for 66 units of key worker accommodation - more could follow.
They believe this is the best option “as many areas of health and social care look to avoid reaching a crisis point as a result of recruitment and retention difficulties which are being experienced both on-Island and more widely.”
Planning policies would normally rule out building on green field sites, but a lawful route could be found to build key worker housing on green fields at the Hospital if the Development & Planning Authority uses a planning policy known as S5 to identify the scheme as a ‘development of strategic importance’.
In rejecting the bid to protect the field, the Assembly agreed a counter proposal by Deputies Neil Inder and Mark Helyar which means that any development of key workers’ housing on the field will trigger the States spending up to £300,000 buying land of an equivalent size elsewhere to be converted into grassland for dairy farming.
The application can be viewed at gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.
Its reference number is OP/2022/2321 and the address for the application is Le Bordage Seath, Rue Mignot, Le Vauquiedor, St Andrew’s.
To find out more about the planning process, you can watch a video at gov.gg/planningandbuilding.
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