Floods threaten development - public meeting hears

The report aims to help shape developments along the island's east coast

The impact of flood risks on developments in Guernsey was the biggest issue raised in a public meeting on future changes to the island's harbour areas.

The Local Planning Brief for St Peter Port and St Sampson suggests 18 policies around the harbours, focusing on areas including transport and parking, housing and creating a more people-focused environment.

One includes the creation of critical flood defences that protect "Guernsey's coast and harbours from current and future environmental threats".

A final draft of the plan is due to be published in April 2025 and if approved by the States it would become a formal amendment to the Island Development Plan.

Members of the public, stakeholders and deputies were invited to respond to the report.

Deputy Peter Roffey, Employment & Social Security President, was among those calling for coastal defence to be prioritised.

He said bringing "affordable housing" to the harbour areas was his key concern, but a lack of flood defences in St Sampson, puts "potential for 1,000 new homes" at risk.

Need something in place

In response the DPA acknowledged "affordable housing" was not specified but it did not "preclude" it from happening under the proposals.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, Environment and Infrastructure President, addressed flood mitigation during her submission saying work was already under way.

She said: "When you are talking about flood risk mitigation - we don't have 10 years we need to put something in place in the interim."

The draft Local Planning Brief is said by The States of Guernsey to allow flexibility for proposals from prospective developers.

Andrew Merrett of LO Architects said his firm "supports the vision and ambition" of the brief but said temporary parking needs must be met in the interim.

He also made the case for future permissions to be granted for taller buildings.

"The document is worthless unless it leads to some form of development," he said.