Proposals on display for parish improvement plan

Committee member Ricky Mahy said it would be exciting to see open green spaces

Proposals for how to improve life in St Martin have gone on display as part of the next phase of the parish's Community Plan.

The exhibition follows three months of public consultation, with more than 400 responses gathered from residents, visitors and users of the parish.

A total of 42 proposals have now been put forward, focusing on key concerns such as traffic, housing and community spaces.

Chairman of the Community Plan Committee Graham Winn said: We are trying to find ways, with the resources we have, to improve the community so it is a better place to live."

'Open green spaces'

One suggestion included creating a community park and cafe, while another recommended redeveloping derelict hotels into affordable homes.

Committee member Ricky Mahy said: "As an architect, it would be very exciting to see open green spaces, such as a community park and cafe put forward."

He added: "There are a lot of derelict hotels which need to be repurposed for housing."

Housing was one of the most pressing concerns raised during the consultation.

Francis Ogier said it was important to develop sites that encouraged young people to buy something affordable

Francis Ogier, who has lived in St Martin for 39 years, said: "Young people who we have sent off to get degrees are deterred from coming back to living on the island because they cannot find anywhere to live in the parish they grew up in."

She added: "It's important that we develop sites that encourage young people to buy something affordable."

The committee said the exhibition would help decide which proposals were included in the final phase of the plan.

Parishioners are invited to share their views in person at the Constables' Office or online until 17 May.

Douzenier Cynthia Cormack said: "We've got to be very careful that Guernsey as a whole does not become like Hong Kong, nothing but high rise and every blade of grass covered over."

Once finalised, the aim is for the Community Plan to be used to inform future planning decisions in the parish.