Urgent review of planning laws needed – P&R chief

From individual planning decisions to revitalising the Old Quarter in Town, Deputy Peter Ferbrache said it was time to move away from a ‘no can do’ attitude.

‘We need to review our present planning legislation now, today, not just piecemeal, we need to change our mindset from “no can do” to “let us get on with it”,’ he told business leaders.

‘The IDP [Island Development Plan] was meant to be fluid and flexible but it isn’t really. Understand that I don’t want to see building in green fields and I do not want to see houses or clos in lanes down, say in St Sampson’s or the Vale, where there is inadequate infrastructure.

‘With innovative planning that could be changed and could be changed soon. Do not make people wait 16 weeks before they [have] a decision on their planning matters.’

Deputy Ferbrache praised the head of the planning service, saying the island was lucky to have someone of the quality of Jim Rowles. ‘He needs the tools, though, to be able to change things.’

There were too many empty shops in Town as well. ‘Let them be changed if necessary,’ he said. Development of Mill Street should be encouraged and could, for example, be a place where young people starting on their married professional lives might live. ‘Create a mews and artisanal environment. Do it now, not in five years.’

The island’s most senior politician continued: ‘The planning team is now looking at ways that they can fast-track the planning process, remove unnecessary costly steps – including changes in policy. This willingness to support is a good start, but it must be a consistent theme in Guernsey in 2021 and beyond. We want planning to support the economy.’