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The centre of St. Peter Port could include more open public spaces, underground traffic and more residential areas.
These ideas and many others are set out in a Regeneration Development Framework published today by the States’ Development & Planning Authority which it hopes will guide the long-term development of Town.
The D&PA's vision is "to enhance the St Peter Port Regeneration Areas to diversify and enrich the experience and long-term attractiveness of Town as a place to work, live, spend time, meet people and explore, and to ensure that it continues to be a successful primary centre".
The Development Framework published today follows two stages of consultation which concluded with a six-week period for formal responses to an earlier draft document.
What is a Development Framework?
A Development Framework is a guide which developers, businesses and public authorities can follow when preparing planning applications. The process is outlined by the States online as follows:
The D&PA's Development Framework focuses on three ‘regeneration areas’ of St Peter Port:
The objectives for these parts of Town include improving the experience for pedestrians, developing more open public spaces, supporting investment in retail, encouraging more ‘in-town’ living and intensifying the footfall and ethos of St Peter Port.
Pictured: The Development Framework highlights several ‘gateways’ into the Town centre.
The D&PA has worked with Tibbalds - a London-based urban design firm - to come up with its ideas. They provide an indication of the type of developments and planning applications which the D&PA would be sympathetic to approving if submitted over the next few years.
In the Lower Pollet, the D&PA wants to see the development of a more pedestrian-friendly area. It says that paving large areas of the Lower Pollet could benefit the public. It has set out the possibility of a re-designed taxi rank and the creation of a ‘transport hub’ on the North Beach.
Pictured: The Development Framework places strong emphasis on extending and enhancing the 'public realm' in the centre of St. Peter Port.
Proposals for the South Esplanade include expanding the use of public spaces by harbour-facing shops and restaurants and revisiting the idea of closing Town Church Square to vehicles and reserving it for pedestrians.
Perhaps the most radical idea proposed by the D&PA is to send traffic underground into a tunnel to allow better and more vibrant use of the congested seafront.
In another proposal focused on pedestrians and the public realm, the D&PA suggests walkways between Mansell Street and Le Bordage and a new public art feature in Trinity Square together with partial weekend closures to vehicles. All these ideas are designed to make the area a more appealing gateway into the centre of Town.
Pictured: Many of the D&PA's suggestions focus on making St. Peter Port friendlier for pedestrians.
The Development Framework sets out the advantages of more in-town living. For example, the top level of High Street shops could provide more space for people to live in the centre of St. Peter Port and generate a more vibrant Town more of the time.
“My Committee and I have fulfilled our mandate in producing this Development Framework, but we are really keen that it doesn’t now simply sit on a shelf for years to come. We now need the other Committees whose mandate it falls under to drive forward positive change in our community, for our community.
“This is why we have invited all deputies to attend a presentation, so that we can facilitate and encourage these next steps by explaining what the document means, talking through the possibilities and fielding any questions they may have.”
Pictured: The members of the Development & Planning Authority, who have published their vision for the future of the Town centre.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, the President of the States' senior committee, Policy & Resources, is welcoming the Development Framework.
“Now that this Development Framework is complete, it will be the springboard for revitalising the jewel in the Bailiwick’s crown,” said Deputy Ferbrache.
The full Development Framework can be read ONLINE HERE.
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