Calls for new group to solve 'housing crisis'

Deputy Nick Moakes believes key Guernsey housing stakeholders need to be brought together

A new group is needed to help tackle Guernsey's "housing crisis", a States deputy has said.

Nick Moakes has proposed the creation of a Housing Sector Forum made up of people from the States of Guernsey, the construction industry and employers.

It comes after the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) unveiled plans on Monday to zone six new parts of Guernsey for affordable housing as part of efforts to change the island's planning rules.

The plans received criticism from some deputies and Mr Moakes said he believed bringing together the "key stakeholders" would be the best way forward.

Mr Moakes said he would propose the forum reports to the Policy and Resources Committee.

He added what he was proposing was "not designed" to replace anything already in place but he believed it would help address a gap around developing housing.

Le Tassin Ruette De La Croix in Castel is one of the six sites earmarked for affordable housing

Mr Moakes said what he was proposing was about prioritising what needed to be done for housing in Guernsey and he hoped the States would see it as a "no-brainer".

"Don't get me wrong, this will not result in spades in the ground tomorrow," Mr Moakes said.

"But what it will do, I believe, is result in better joined-up thinking and therefore a better programme of preparing for the future and getting things in the ground, whenever that should happen."

Housing plans

The DPA has highlighted the following sites for affordable housing:

• 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

The DPA has also put forward plans to scrap a policy which requires large housing developments to provide some affordable housing.

Other proposals put forward include reducing the number of sites where a development framework was needed and extending the L’Aumone local centre boundary to include the Castel Hospital site.

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