People living in St Martin’s are encouraged to have their say on the parish’s ‘Community Plan’ with an exhibition open at the Constable’s Office for the next two weeks.
Those behind the Community Plan want to encourage open discussion on what people like about St Martin’s, what they would change, and what they would specifically like to see in the parish.
A display sharing some of the views that were shared during the first round on consultation is open until 17 May.
Over 400 responses were received during that first stage of consultation and 42 proposals have been brought forward to the second phase.
The current exhibition will allow parishioners to have their say on which of those proposals should be taken forward as part of the next stage of the Community Plan, which will be produced directly from the feedback received.
Chairman of the Community Plan Committee, Graham Winn, said the work so far has involved a range of parishioners who have volunteered their time to be involved.
“We’ve been delighted with the response to the process so far,” he said.
“To have so many parishioners engage with our initial questions and to have such valuable contributions really demonstrates that people are ready to get involved in their community and want to have some say about how to make the places they live in better in so many different ways.”
Most of the concerns raised in the first consultation round related to traffic, community spaces, and housing. The things that people most liked about St Martin’s included the community feel, the quiet lanes and the range of shops and services available in the parish centre.
St Martin’s Douzenier Carla Bauer is the Community Plan Parish Lead. She said housing was a central theme in the consultation so far.
“Housing is an issue island wide, both shortage of and location. Much of the feedback we had related to the many derelict and unused old hotels in the Parish. The Plan was prompted by the suggestion to build houses in green field sites with difficult access. However there is a welcome recognition for smaller units particularly first time buyers and smaller units for the elderly.”
On traffic, Ms Bauer said a number of the proposals suggested through the first round of consultation also centred on improving traffic, and including new cycle lanes in the parish.
“There are 22 proposals relating to traffic including cycle lanes and traffic calming measures underway,” she said.
Noise pollution and the use of scooters or mopeds was raised as a concern, with the display showing that some people had highlighted noise levels in La Grande Rue and the Ville Amphrey, in particular.
The Committee is inviting parishioners to look at the proposals and give their feedback in person at the Constables’ Office between17:30 and 19:30 on the 7, 13, and 14 May and from 09:30 – 12:00 on Saturday 17 May.
For those unable to attend the exhibition, the proposals will also be available to look at online via links on the parish website and Facebook page.
The Committee said it is happy to receive posted or emailed feedback received through the Constables’ Office while the exhibition is live.