Housing keen on social element of new-builds
IT IS not unreasonable for the States to benefit from large private housing developments in order to help those struggling to afford properties, the deputy Housing minister has said.
Mike Hadley was speaking after 19 leading developers, builders and architects submitted a joint letter to the Environment Department as part of the draft Island Development Plan consultation.
They warned that building would grind to a halt, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, if Environment pushed through its plans for between 20% and 30% of developments of five buildings or more having to be affordable housing.
The proposal would see private owners having to give part of their land for social housing for free or sell a fifth of finished homes at cost to the Housing Department or the Guernsey Housing Association.
Deputy Hadley said Housing had worked in partnership with Environment and the policy would 'help people who are unable to pay the high prices developers demand for new houses'.
