Frustration over housing plans in north of island

Douzainier Karl Guille said residents are concerned about flood risks and increased traffic in the area

Residents in the north of Guernsey have raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure ahead of new building projects, saying too many have been planned for their area.

A total of 64% of the proposed 1,079 new dwellings planned in the island for the period 2025 to 2030 are set to be built in the north, according to St Sampson Douzainier Karl Guille.

Deputy Adrian Gabriel, president of Environment & Infrastructure, said he was "pleased" residents were making their views known, and improving infrastructure in the area would "ease pressure" on the roads.

Some residents have told the BBC they feel "frustrated" and that some of the plans are "ridiculous".

John and Margaret have been living in the Saltpans area for 43 years

Mr Guille met with a number of Saltpans residents to hear their thoughts about developments planned for the area.

"There is some logic to building in the north because that's where the infrastructure is and that's where the amenities are," he explained.

"But we're talking at the moment about up to 1,300 new properties in the longer-term just in the area of the Braye du Val.

"That's an awful lot."

He said the planned work would exceed the capabilities of the infrastructure in the area and posed a flood risk.

"I think all that St Sampson is asking for is that the total number of properties is shared more equally across the island and I don't really think that's too much to be asking."

Gabriel said while there were "a number of significant sites allocated for housing in the north of the island", planning the right infrastructure, like footpaths and cycle paths, was part of the process.

"Enabling the development of housing is a top priority for the States of Guernsey, and, collectively, we are taking an active role in facilitating new homes coming forward at the earliest opportunity."

He added: "This is just one piece of a much larger puzzle that should, when complete, enable different sites to be well connected as they come forward for development, with further enhancements expected in the future.

"This is especially true following the States' purchase of Leale's Yard."

'What planet?'

Margaret and John Helyar have been residents of the Saltpans area since the 1980s.

They said the proposal for a new road coming through the estate, and the height of new homes, worried them most.

"Some of the houses that are being proposed are four and five storeys," Ms Helyar said. "They're going to completely dominate the other houses, and we'll have no view across the site at all.

"It just seems to be just packing them in for the sake of it. And we're told it won't make much difference to the traffic. I mean, what sort of planet do these people live on?"

Peter de Garis feels residents of the north of the island are being treated unfairly

She said residents did not feel their concerns were being heard.

"We've complained over the years, not just us personally, but everyone in the area. And it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

"We feel frustrated that we feel that we don't get listened to."

Peter de Garis said the opinions of people living in the north were not given the same weight as in the rest of the island.

"People couldn't care less about the north of the island.

"You know, if there's any development proposed at St Peter's or Castel, it's 'oh no, we don't want this, we don't want that'. That's all listened to and taken into account by the planners.

"But the north? No, let's just get more and more and more houses in the north. That's fine."