Planning is defeated over one-man appeals

A NEW planning law could be in place within 12 months. Environment minister Bernard Flouquet yesterday indicated that his department would launch a programme of enabling ordinances which could see the law come into effect sooner than expected.

The projet de loi was approved by the States, but needs royal assent before it becomes law.

Environment was defeated in its aim to get appeals on decisions heard by a lone adjudicator.

The States agreed with Deputy Lyndon Trott that a panel of three should do the job, even if it had to deal with 200 cases a year, as expected.

And some members were unhappy that the law proceeded at all. Nine voted against it.

'This is very unsatisfactory,' said Environment critic Deputy Mike Burbridge.

'In my opinion, we have not looked after the people of Guernsey properly.'

Deputy Flouquet did not see it as a day of mixed fortunes for his department.

'It's a good day for the community at large,' he said. 'We are one stage closer to a new law, though obviously there is still quite a lot of work in front of us.'

The minister hoped that details of more exemptions to the planning law would be published in the next couple of months ' and there will be public consultation on the plans, he pledged.

The remaining enabling ordinances, with further detail on the law, should come forward to the States in tranches, he added.

'It would be inappropriate to do all nine in one fell swoop ' that would be a little too much for all of us to comprehend ' and after consultation, hopefully, we could do a full report to the States by the end of this year.

'It's a very tall order, but that's our programme and we will try to achieve it if we can.'

He told critics of his department that the States would remain in control of the outcome ' a commencement ordinance will be required before any of the law is implemented.

Deputy Flouquet would not be drawn over a feeling that many members did not trust his department, or particularly the former Island Development Committee.

'All I can say is that I cannot defend the past, but only look to the future. I strive, with the board, to give the island a planning system which is equal for all individuals.'

Deputy Flouquet said that he was concerned about the time and cost implications of an appeals panel, which the States strongly confirmed it wanted.

'It would have been remiss of us not to give the States the opportunity to have a second look at the proposal.

'I still believe that the States has not fully appreciated the nuances of the tribunal.'