States a year late backing open market, say estate agents

A STATEMENT that the open market will remain part of Guernsey's future population management scheme will go some way to restoring confidence in the sector, according to estate agents.

In a new report, the Policy Council said parts did need review, but reassured open market residents that the vast majority of them would see no change.

Lovells estate agents managing director Chris Lovell welcomed the news, but said he wished the States had made the statement 12 months ago, when speculation about the sector first started.

If the States approves the new population report, which will be debated in January, research will be conducted into the make-up of the open market population of 5,560.