Who will lead planning?

Wednesday 17 April 2019

As Deputy John Gollop resigns from his post, at least one Deputy has already said she would like to replace him as President of the Development and Planning Authority.

Deputy Dawn Tindall, who is the current Vice President of the DPA has confirmed to Express she will stand for election, once Deputy Gollop's resignation is accepted by the Bailiff and put to the States for an election, which is expected to happen during the States meeting on 22 May.

Deputy Tindall told Express:

"As Vice-President, I have been honoured to support Deputy Gollop in his role as President and so I believe I could provide the continuity that this Committee needs in the final year of this term.  I also feel that I can continue with the work I have done to try to address the concerns that have been voiced by those responding to consultations documents and also members of the States."

Pictured: Deputy John Gollop and Deputy Dawn Tindall. 

Deputy Gollop announced his intention to resign earlier this week, having written to the Bailiff outlining his decision.

A spokesman for the Bailiff's Chambers said;

"I can confirm that Deputy John Gollop has resigned as the President of the Development & Planning Authority. The Proposition to elect his successor should be posted on the States’ website later today (Tuesday 17 April)."

Deputy Gollop had already publicly said he couldn't lead the DPA any longer as he didn't agree with some of its decisions. Decisions which he, as President, had to take ultimate responsibility for.

Tweeting earlier this week, Deputy Gollop said; "I basically want to make the Planning decisions on environmental and political grounds as a planning minister. The current structure doesn't suit me, but I think I have too much baggage to change it."

He followed that up by tweeting; "I would concur though that a more politically driven committee with monthly OPMs (open planning meetings) on several sites and more departures from agreed IDP (Island Development Plan) policy would cost significantly extra taxpayers money and professional resource."

His decision to resign was cemented when public opinion on social media appeared to turn against a large new build property near the filter at the junction of the Route de Cobo and the Cobo coast road.

Deputy Gollop has tweeted that an Open Planning Meeting wasn't held regarding the property at Cobo when it was proposed because he and the rest of the DPA thought the revised plans were more 'appropriate within policy' which he said was "a mistake of process in hindsight."

I believe significant planning decisions should be politically made even if we have no expertise. We are democratically elected. I am not prepared to stay on, or be accountable justifying all planing officer decisions even if appropriately & professionally made.

— john gollop (@GollopGuern) April 14, 2019

At the time this article was written, Deputy Gollop had not responded to messages or tweeted regarding this matter, since it was confirmed he had resigned from his role. 

Pictured top: Deputy John Gollop.