DPA aim to tackle planning concerns

The DPA’s new president Dawn Tindall said she was keen for the public and politicians to feel their concerns were not falling on deaf ears.

The Island Development Plan, which shapes how and where development can take place in Guernsey, came into effect in 2016 and the first annual monitoring report was debated last December.

‘While that factual report was confirming how the policies were working as required by the States’ approved Island Development Plan 2016, there were many voices, both in the Assembly and in the public, who were indicating a general concern about the policies themselves,’ Deputy Tindall said.

Since then the action plan has been taking shape.

‘This document sets out those actions including how the responsibilities in the Island Development Plan are being enhanced, some quick wins and how we intend to communicate the response we have made,’ Deputy Tindall said.

The plan addresses a number of concerns, including the development of houses on greenfield sites, the creation of affordable housing and the importance of open land.

Development frameworks, which were introduced under the IDP, to show how larger sites would be developed, have been criticised. The action plan will review the role of frameworks and their usefulness.

Instead they could be targeted at areas that need regeneration, like Leale’s Yard.

The plan also aims to increase public awareness and engagement.

Most of the plan’s aims can be done using existing resources. However DPA has advised Policy & Resources more resources could be needed for 2020.

This would help fund development frameworks for regeneration areas and the communication plan.

DPA has been considering how best States members might get input into the plan.

The authority will also be lodging an amendment to the P&R Plan – 2018 Review and 2019 update – to allow the authority to be included in the plan process.