Eight new affordable housing sites in revised IDP

The new proposed sites have replaced the six earmarked in 2024

Eight new sites have been earmarked for affordable housing in changes to the Island Development Plan.

They replace the six that were proposed last summer following feedback from islanders.

Development and Planning Authority (DPA) president Deputy Victoria Oliver said the changes mean the development of new homes was more "evenly distributed" than in previous plans.

The changes will also create a new 'local centre' at Vazon. The States agreed that new developments should be built within or adjacent to 'local or main centres'.

'Tick the box'

Deputy Oliver said that the new centre, in the west of the island, would deliver "roughly 76" affordable homes.

The eight new sites are:

• Le Penage - Les Caches, St Martin

• Les Caches Farm - Rue Des Caches, St Pierre du Bois

• Two Acres - La Planque Lane, Forest

• Route Carré, St Sampson

• Regency Vinery - Steam Mill Lane, St Martin

• Whispers - Rue Des Goddards, Castel

• La Trousserie - Route De La Mare, Castel

• Ninche Vinery - Route De La Mare, Castel

Deputy Oliver said that the DPA was "really lucky" to be able to revise the plans.

She said teams had gone out to speak to individual landowners, saying to them 'you didn't tick the box for affordable housing - would you mind if this site came forward?'.

"The DPA then went around and looked at all the sites and had a call for brownfield sites as well and more sites came forward through that," she said.

"We looked at our priorities and criteria for choosing sites and really hammered home what we wanted.

"[It was] similar to last time but, through the changes, we were able to choose sites which were more appropriate."

Deputy Victoria Oliver said the changes had allowed an even distribution of developments

Representations that were made on the previous plan will still stand at the independent planning inquiry but people can update their comments if they feel it is necessary.

New representations can also be made until 31 March.