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An external consultant has been tasked with preparing a Local Planning Brief for the St Peter Port and St Sampson Harbour Acton Areas with those spaces highlighted as having "significant potential" for the wider economy.
The Development & Planning Authority has appointed Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design to do the work.
Tibbalds has already worked in Guernsey, having been involved in some of the plans for Leales Yard and town.
Pictured: Plans for St Peter Port, and the Leales Yard site, have been drawn up by Tibbalds previously.
The DPA describes the two harbours as "areas within the Island Development Plan which have significant potential for inward investment to enhance and promote wider social, economic and environmental objectives".
Tibbalds has been given guidelines to work to in the preparation of the Local Planning Brief which should take around 18 months to do.
Ensure that the Local Planning Brief has sufficient flexibility to adapt to any future decision of the States regarding future commercial port development, the Local Planning Brief will be prepared based on two scenarios:
• Continuity of commercial port operations within St Peter Port and St Sampson, and
• Relocation of commercial port operations out of St Peter Port and St Sampson.
The work will start this year with consultations going into early next year.
Relevant States’ Committees and other stakeholders will be included in those talks, with the first draft of the Local Planning Brief then open for public consultation.
After that, an independent Planning Inspector will hold an inquiry so the public can then comment on the proposals.
The final stage will see the States debate and vote on the Local Planning Brief.
Pictured: Hundreds of ideas for the future use of Leale's Yard, and the development of the wider Bridge area, were made during a public drop in session hosted by Tibbalds in January 2020.
If approved by the States, the Local Planning Brief will become part of the Island Development Plan.
That will then set out the land use policies which all development within the designated Harbour Action Areas must comply with.
DPA President, Deputy Victoria Oliver has high hopes the future plans and the future of both harbours.
“Our harbours are an integral part of Guernsey, past, present and future," she said.
"Creating a Local Planning Brief is all about ensuring that our two main harbours live up to their significant potential. We want to protect and preserve all that is good in these areas, whilst looking for ways in which we can enhance them. However, we need to make sure that any opportunities and challenges are fully considered, which is why we have a set process to follow to make sure that all views are taken into account and different interests are balanced."
Pictured: The Harbour Action Areas are highlighted using dots.
Hilary Satchwell, Director of Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, said: “Tibbalds is delighted to be working with the States of Guernsey to prepare a Local Planning Brief for The Harbour Action Areas at St Peter Port and St Sampson.
"Our experience of working in both of these areas means we are well placed to help in preparing a Local Planning Brief that maximises the potential of these crucial areas for the States and supports how they work best to support the Island as whole. As well as our own town planning and strategic placemaking skills we bring with us a multi-disciplinary team with a strong background in harbour strategies and technical advice to support the project.”
Deputy Oliver added: “I’m looking forward to working with Tibbalds and hearing what islanders have to say next year when there is an opportunity for public consultation.”
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