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The publication of the Draft Island Development Plan on Monday (16 February) has been well received by States departments and their ministers. The final Island Development Plan will determine how land is used and developed over the next ten years.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, said: “The Draft Island Development Plan is a significant document for Guernsey and will define how and where development is carried out for the next 10 years. It is vital that it fulfils the strategic objectives of the States and I am encouraged by the positive response of the Housing and Commerce and Employment Ministers”.
After five years, the Plan will be reviewed for housing and economic land. Commenting on the role the Island Development Plan will have in delivering future housing, Deputy Dave Jones, the Housing Department Minister, said: “Having looked at the housing policies contained within the Plan, I am confident that it will ensure land is available for the delivery of housing over the next 5 years. I am also delighted to see the inclusion of an affordable housing policy. This will introduce a new way of doing things in Guernsey that will assist in the provision of much needed social housing for people on low incomes”.
The Draft Island Development Plan makes provision for economic growth in the Island including office accommodation, industrial development, storage space, and allows for the development of the digital economy.
Deputy Kevin Stewart, Commerce and Employment Minister, said: “I am really pleased to see the publication of the Draft Island Development Plan that appears to adopt a very positive position regarding economic development. This will help contribute to our economic growth in the Island. If adopted, the Island Development Plan will give a clear message that Guernsey is ‘open for business’ and that the States is aligned in seeking to deliver the economic objectives of the States”.
Deputy Le Tocq added: “The Policy Council has now received the Draft Island Development Plan from the Environment Department and is now responsible for running the independent planning inquiry. This Draft Plan is such an important document that I would urge everyone to take time to view it. We have set up an excellent online system for making comments on the Draft Plan and our Inquiry Administrative Team will be happy to help people engage in the consultation process”.
The online and detailed guidance on how to make representations can be accessed through www.gov.gg/planninginquiry. It is important for anybody who has an interest in the Draft Island Development Plan to submit their comments during the Initial Representation period which closes at 17:00 on Friday 10 April 2015. Regardless of whether somebody agrees or disagrees with how the policies in the Draft Island Development Plan, it is equally important that these views and the reasons for them are presented to the Planning Inspectors via the online system or using the approved form.
