Possible two-dozen new dwellings could come to St Martins

Thursday 16 August 2018

Framework plans for between, approximately, 15 and 22 new houses to be built in Briarwood, La Grande Rue, St Martins, have been approved.

The development framework for the potential residential build was given the go-ahead from the Planning Authority after a six week public consultation period.

While the exact number of housing units will depend on the detailed design response to the framework, in ensuring the land will be used efficiently, it has been anticipated that the site will be able to accommodate around 15-22 dwellings - though the final number could be higher or lower.

The Development Framework provides planning guidance on how the site might be developed by setting out how policies in the Island Development Plan will be applied to the site. The site is within the St Martin Local Centre where residential development is supported in principle.   

A "limited number" of responses were received for the consultation, but the main concerns focused on the following: 

• Principle of additional housing in this area
• Potential to develop alternative brownfield sites for housing/loss of open agricultural land
• Potential to develop site for additional community facilities
• Density and mix of housing
• Capacity of St Martin’s School
• Sensitivity of the school premises
• Residential amenity
• Traffic & Highway issues
• Importance of the public car park
• Provision of adequate private car parking
• Contaminated land
• Impact on surface and ground water
• Impact on wildlife

All of the matters raised were fully considered by the Authority and a number of minor amendments were made to the draft in response to the comments received before the Final Framework was approved. 

The Development Framework together with the ‘Report of the Consultation Responses to the Briarwood Draft Development Framework’ can be accessed via the States of Guernsey website at www.gov.gg/planningandbuildingon the “Development Frameworks” page under the “Policies & Conservation” heading or copies of the Development Framework are available to view at the Planning Service Reception at Sir Charles Frossard House, La Charroterie, St Peter Port.