With Deputy Neil Inder at the helm, the Development and Planning Authority is going to work towards solving Guernsey’s housing crisis.
He has set its priorities to include working towards greater engagement with the public, championing the development of urban sites, and treating everyone fairly.
Elected to the committee presidency in October, Deputy Inder says he has now set out what he wants to achieve.
He said he believes the DPA and the Planning Service “should exist for the people, not work against them” and his priorities will reflect that as he aims to deliver what the people want.
Priorities
Active engagement, developing urban sites, and equal treatment are among the new DPA President’s priorities.
He said his top goals are to ensure the DPA meets a number of goals during this political term, which ends in 2029.
“The DPA and the Planning Service should exist for the people, not work against them”
Deputy Neil inder
The goals include reviewing existing processes, increasing the use of solar panels across the island, and reducing the development of green spaces.
The priorities:
- Engage actively with and listen to relevant political committees, environmental groups and developers/agents.
- Champion urban development in the already available areas in main and local centres, to reduce development of green spaces and habitats.
- Review the process for listing buildings as well as exploring the possibility of permitting the replacement of doors and windows in these buildings, rather than repair only, with consideration given to the energy efficiency of all buildings.
- Treat people fairly, regardless of who they are, especially when it comes to not complying with planning law/conditions and determining planning applications.
- Support the introduction of micro-renewables, particularly solar panels, in line with the direction from the Electricity Strategy.
Deputy Inder also confirmed that work to relax the rules around the use of annexes to help address the housing crisis is continuing.
He said the Authority has agreed to pursue that work and will be bringing a Policy Letter to the States on the matter.
Cross-committee work
Having joined the DPA a few months into this political term, after changes elsewhere in the States, saw a vacancy arise, Deputy Inder has some catching up to do.
He said he has already started setting up meetings between the DPA and relevant political committees, environmental groups and developers so they can learn how the DPA can work better with these parties.
Deputy Inder said its part of his wider aim to ensure the DPA is fit for purpose.
“The DPA and the Planning Service should exist for the people, not work against them, so my priorities are what I believe people want to see, and what we will deliver with the support of the Authority,” he said.
“The advertising man in me recognises that the DPA is what we would term a ‘distressed brand’. From what I have seen so far, we have a good team of officers that look like they are largely under the cosh. My job and message to staff has been that I will back them if they can work with me. And, so far anyway, I can see some real positive activity from the senior officers.”
The housing crisis
Deputy Inder has acknowledged the part his committee plays in the ongoing housing crisis that has left more than 1,000 people without secure housing or at risk of homelessness.
He said more homes need to be built – but he believes they need to be built in the correct areas.
“Guernsey needs to develop more homes, but I firmly believe that there are spaces in St Peter Port and other urban areas where development should be focused,” he said. “And I’ll be championing this cause at every opportunity. And we have made mention of the ‘annex policy letter’ that will be coming before the States.
“The utilisation of existing properties, along with some minor extensions to allow reasonable multi-generational living would tick a number of boxes on practical use of properties and a family’s ability to look after each other.”
Nature
Deputy Inder is conscious of the risks that overdevelopment can pose to the environment – but he believes the DPA can work around that but working with other committees and listening to the public.
That work will include ensuring no work starts before planning permission has been given to make sure that nature is respected.
“Related to this is the protection of our biodiversity and wildlife, and this is where the importance of listening comes in. The DPA can only act with the powers that it has. The DPA is powerless to protect what we’re seeing in terms of pre-site clearance and ensuring new developments are seeing biodiversity net gain. We need to quickly meet with those who have an interest in this area and those with the powers to act to sort this out.
“We need to treat people fairly. I’m not saying this hasn’t been happening, but there’s a perception that you get different treatment depending on who you are or where you live. Whether it’s true or not, this perception needs to change. If you put in a planning application, you need to know that it will be treated fairly. If someone carries out development without permission, it needs to stop, no matter who they are.”
This work fits with views expressed by Deputy Inder’s Vice President recently.
Deputy Lee Van Katwyk has raised his own concerns about overdevelopment at the Bridge and Bordeaux – warning that plans already being progressed will see massive changes in the area, which many members of the public are unaware of.
Listed buildings
“Of particular interest of me is how we protect the character of Guernsey’s older buildings, yet not lock them into a 18th or 19th century world of drafty windows and little or no insulation,” continued Deputy Inder.
“It’s an irritation to home owners and there are solutions that the DPA could consider. One of which is allowing listed buildings to install either single or triple glazed windows as a presumption of development.
“I’ve had the opportunity in recent weeks to meet some of the staff in our Planning Service and see the work that they do. Without them working with developers, architects, applicants and agents, the developments we see coming forward would be much poorer. But we need to be reaching out, listening better and working together with all involved, so that’s what we’re going to do.
“The Development and Planning Authority has a story to tell and it’s an integral part of the economy. I understand that the codification of subjectivity is an impossible task; decisions will not always be perfect, but the housing shortage is real, we are here to assist government deliver on its priorities; the DPA will be part of that story.”
Deputy Van Katwyk this week revealed the DPA is already acting on this pledge from Deputy Inder – with committee members and officers visiting the site of a listed building.
The owners want to develop Les Vardes Farm, but have previously faced roadblocks.
As part of those efforts to meet the demands of the housing crisis while considering all the other priorities it has set, the DPA has already arranged its first Open Planning Meeting – the first to be held since July 2024.
A proposed housing development at the Mallard will be considered next week and a decision made thereafter.
The Mallard plans
The Infinity Group is working with the Guernsey Housing Association on the proposed new development, which could see 85 new homes built at the Mallard Complex over the next three years.
A planning application has been submitted confirming that the majority of the new units delivered through the public/private partnership will be ‘affordable housing’ managed by the GHA.
Infinity MD Paul Nobes has previously said if everything goes well, his team could start work early next year, delivering the 100 new units of accommodation within another two years.
Planning Officers have already decided to recommend the plans are approved with conditions but a decision will be made on the application after the Open Planning Meeting is held on Monday 15 December.
Open Planning Meetings give the political committee responsible for planning and development a chance to consider particularly contentious proposals.
Choosing to consider the plans means the DPA will have to listen to the concerns raised by members of the public and the Forest Douzaine around the development.
The Douzaine has said it has no objection to the development but it is concerned at the
proposed number of units as coupled with other proposed new builds in the area the parish could see 127 new units of housing in a small area.
At least 14 members of the public have written letters of representation in against the Mallard plans, raising concerns around traffic impacts, the environment, breaching established IDP policies, the loss of agricultural areas, the site’s close proximity to two schools, the height of the proposed buildings, noise, and the loss of privacy and/or overshadowing, and/or light.
The Open Planning Meeting will be held at Beau Sejour on Monday 15 December from 09:30.