Development framework for new homes ‘unbelievable’

A string of deputies from that part of the island have expressed concern after the approval of development frameworks by the Development & Planning Authority for Pointues Rocques, St Sampson’s, Le Maresquet, Vale, and the English & Guernsey Arms on the Bridge, which could see a total of 160 new homes.

‘I find it unbelievable that permission has been given for development at Le Maresquet site bearing in mind all the issues with the power station,’ Deputy Lowe said.

Noise and vibration from the engines has been a concern for people living nearby.

‘As a result, after several reports and some residents suffering ill health over a considerable amount of time, Guernsey Electricity came to a financial settlement purchasing seven properties during 2016,’ she said.

Although she hoped it would not be the case, Deputy Lowe wondered if in a few years there would be a repeat of more people becoming ill and Guernsey Electricity purchasing more properties.

Too much emphasis was on cramming more development into the north with not enough consideration of the quality of life for those who live there, she said.

Deputy Neil Inder, who also represents the Vale, said he was disappointed yet another field in Guernsey was likely to go for housing. ‘Once fields are gone, they are gone forever.’

He said that while the E&G had been a vibrant place, the right development that protected the essence of the original building could be an exciting project for St Sampson’s, which is increasingly being referred to as a forgotten town.

Fellow Vale deputy Matt Fallaize said overdevelopment in the north was one of the greatest local concerns because of the likely impact on residents’ quality of life.

‘There is a fairly large area of land spanning the Vale and St Sampson’s which is now under considerable pressure because of housing development and the lack of accessible open space,’ he said.

His issue was not so much density of housing, but how developments are planned and laid out, and it would be ignorant not to be concerned.

Deputy Laurie Queripel said it was important to remember that development frameworks were ‘just glorified guidelines, not actual permission’.

He questioned whether time and money spent putting frameworks together was good use of resources or yields anything of real benefit when the Island Development Plan contained all required guidance policy.

‘General material planning considerations are not given the weight they should be and are not applied consistently. If they were, proposed dense developments in already built-up areas, often with the loss of green fields/open spaces, would not be a serious prospect,’ he said.

While sustainable development was a good soundbite, he added: ‘There is nothing sustainable about filling in the gaps, amplifying pressure on vital infrastructure and services and increasing the amount of traffic on roads in one part of the island – it cannot be desirable, either socially or environmentally.’

A key factor would be the response by deputies and residents of the affected areas should plans be submitted following the release of the frameworks.

Although the north should not be excluded entirely from development, Deputy Queripel believed it had already taken more than its fair share.

‘Any future development should be of a low density and certainly not mean the sacrifice of green fields.’

St Sampson’s deputy Jennifer Merrett was profoundly frustrated and disappointed at the proposed density and access in the approved Pointues Rocques framework.

‘Through many representations by myself and others the density has been reduced and access points readdressed, but it is simply the wrong site to bring forward first when there are other sites that could be used for housing.’

Planners should support the creation of community plans if development frameworks were to be approved and prioritise those they wanted to progress, with Leales Yard at the top of the list, she said.