Islanders have say on development plan proposals

One of the sites includes Le Tassin Ruette De La Croix, Castel next to the hospital

The initial results of a consultation on potential changes to Guernsey's Island Development Plan (IDP) have been published.

The Development and Planning Authority (DPA) had sought feedback on possible changes ranging from the addition of new areas for affordable housing to ensuring sufficient land for business use.

The authority said it received more than 500 submissions, with comments from members of the public, business groups and politicians.

Another round of consultation was expected to begin on Monday, but the DPA requested more time from the planning inspector to analyse the feedback already received.

People were commenting on the proposed changes to the IDP, which included six new areas of the island being earmarked for affordable housing and extending the L’Aumone local centre boundary to include the Castel Hospital site.

Commenting on the review for housing land supply and policies, islander Peter de Garis said building houses on a conservation area at Pointes Rocques "makes the DPA look ridiculous".

Aiden Matthews said planning applications should be considered for the south and the west of the island as the north was "already overdeveloped".

Adrian Ashman said the proposed developments were "all in densely populated areas and will add to the pressure on the already stretched traffic and transport system".

'Guernsey's unique appearance'

Mixed reviews were given for the hospital site, with some asking to leave the green space "as is" due to it being "already very busy with traffic" and others saying it "makes sense" to include the land.

Proposals in relation to biodiversity were better received, with islanders asking for all proposals for affordable housing to "include a biodiversity plan to identify what will be lost".

For the review of housing, mix, size and type of dwellings, Lesley Le Page said a "large part of Guernsey's unique appearance is due to the simple fact that, apart from areas of St Peter Port and St Sampsons, almost all the housing sits back from the roadway".

"If it becomes common to build right up to the roadway then the entire face of Guernsey will be changed."