Deputy resigns over Leale's Yard concerns

Deputy Andrew Taylor said his concerns had increased in recent weeks

Concerns over the Leale's Yard development have been cited in the resignation of a member of Guernsey's Development and Planning Authority.

Deputy Andrew Taylor announced his decision ahead of an open planning meeting on the proposals.

In a statement, Mr Taylor said his concerns "have increased significantly in recent weeks".

Outline plans to build 338 new homes, a supermarket and a car park were recommended for approval last week.

The plans for Leale's Yard include modular housing and a supermarket

The proposals could lead to the biggest development in Guernsey's history.

Mr Taylor, who has been vice president of the authority since 2020, said his concerns related to three areas: "Conflicts of interest and an apparent disregard for the Blue Book Rules of Procedure", meetings that have "taken place without the knowledge of all authority members (and without minutes being shared)", and "pre-determination of members".

He said, while supportive of regeneration, his increasing concerns had "ultimately" led to this decision.

Opening the planning meeting, authority president Victoria Oliver said: "Deputy Taylor has sadly decided to resign."

Ms Oliver said in a statement after the meeting that she was "disappointed to learn from the media that Deputy Taylor has decided to resign" and he had "made a valued contribution to the work of the committee and as such his presence will be missed".

She added that, over the matters he raised, she could "categorically assure the public and States members that at no time has there been any conflict of interest or a direct or special interest in the matter on my part in respect of the Leale's Yard planning application".

She said she considered the application "wholly objectively on its merits and with an open mind, having regard to the planning law, the relevant planning policies and other material planning considerations".

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