States calls for brownfield sites help for housing

The Island Development Plan is specifically looking at St Peter Port and the Bridge

The Development and Planning Authority (DPA) has put out a call to the public to recommend brownfield sites for potential housing.

The States of Guernsey said the appeal was "an important opportunity".

If suggestions were accepted, selected sites would be used predominantly for affordable housing, with a proportion of private market housing also possible to meet the island’s housing needs.

Deputy Victoria Oliver, president of the DPA, said: "Feedback that we have received strongly suggests that there are further such sites for us to consider."

She added: "We are currently reviewing all brownfield sites that have already been suggested and where appropriate are challenging their availability."

The call for public help is part of the focused review of the Island Development Plan (IDP).

A States spokesperson explained: "The IDP is required to comply with the Spatial Strategy agreed by the States which directs new housing and employment uses to within and around St Peter Port and the Bridge together, with limited development within and around local centres.

"Therefore, proposed brownfield sites should first be within the existing main centres or local centres and, if not, should be adjacent to the existing main centres or local centres."

Site suggestions can be submitted via the States' website until 4 October.