A proposed housing development on the border of St Peter Port and St Martin’s has been described as “entirely wrong” by a growing number of residents who are banding together in their objection.

The ‘Save Steam Mill Lane Group’ sent an email to all deputies on Friday 9 October to make their opposition to the housing development on the lane known.

The email was sent by long time resident Catherine Best who lives in and runs her jewellery business from the old mill (pictured left) on Steam Mill Lane, on behalf of the group.

“I write on behalf of a number of members of the public who are against the development outlined in Proposition 3 of the DPA Policy Letter,” she stated.

“Please may I ask that you take time out of your very busy schedules to study this objection to the substantial proposed development of 39 units of housing in the very narrow and rural area of Steam Mill Lane.”

Pictured: A view of Steam Mill Lane provided by the ‘Save Steam Mill Lane Group’.

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) published its review of the Island Development Plan (IDP) at the end of September.

In it, it proposes a number of new Priority Affordable Housing sites.

Among those is a plan to rezone the Regency Vinery on Steam Mill Lane as part of St Peter Port Main Centre Outer Area.

The email says that the vinery “has been completely misdesribed” as “unkempt”, and is actually “an area of wooded natural beauty”, adding that it should be redesignated as a greenfield site.

Pictured: A view of the Regency Vinery provided by the ‘Save Steam Mill Lane Group’.

The ‘Save Steam Mill Lane Group’ said they are keen to point out they “understand the general need for housing and fully support the work of the DPA,” but the development of 39 units in this area “is entirely wrong and that better sites exist”.

The group says the area is popular with walkers and it can already be dangerous for them due to how close the site entrance is to the junction with Rue Poudreuse, adding: “Even with the existing volume of traffic this junction is the scene of many road traffic collisions.”

The email concludes by urging Deputies to vote against proposition three when it comes to the States.

The review was lodged for debate in September, and it may reach the States agenda later this year.