Six new sites earmarked for 'affordable housing'

A debate on the review of the Island Development Plan is set for March 2025

Plans have been unveiled to zone six new parts of Guernsey for affordable housing.

The move is part of efforts to change the island's planning rules by the Development and Planning Authority (DPA).

Efforts to scrap a policy that requires large housing developments to provide some affordable housing have also been put forward by the DPA.

A consultation has been launched which will run until 29 July.

The sites which could be earmarked for affordable housing are:

• Le Tassin Ruette De La Croix, Castel

• Collingwood, Route Militaire, St Sampson

• School Lane Vinery, Rue De La Vallée, St Martin

• Ville Amphrey, St Martin

• Longue Rue, St Martin

• Selbourne Vinery, Route Des Coutanchez, St Peter Port

Other proposed changes to the Island Development Plan (IDP) include reducing the number of sites where a development framework was needed.

The DPA also wants to extend the L’Aumone local centre boundary to include the Castel Hospital site, which it said would remove barriers to the development of the site.

DPA President Victoria Oliver said she hoped the changes her committee had proposed to the IDP would lead to more housebuilding by cutting out red tape.

There were also plans to increase the amount of land protected as an area of biodiversity importance.

What is affordable housing?

The States of Guernsey describes affordable housing as "property that's reserved for certain groups of people who can't afford to rent or buy property on the private market".

That includes States housing, partial ownership properties and extra care housing.

Much of Guernsey's affordable housing is managed by either the Guernsey Housing Association and the States itself.