La Pointe appeal decision to be made behind closed doors
THE decision on whether houses could finally be built on a Vale field is set to be made behind closed doors.
There have been several planning applications to build houses on La Pointe – a triangular field on Braye Road.
Applications for eight, six and two homes were all rejected, for a variety of reasons, including the scale of the development and possible loss of trees. A public appeal against a tree protection order was partially upheld, but the public appeal against the six-house rejection was rejected.
Now field owner Simon Holland has requested the appeal against the two-house rejection be held in written form, rather than a public hearing.
He said he had made the request due to the high costs, to both sides, of holding a hearing, as architects, lawyers and planners would need to attend.
Planning panel chairman David Harry said they had considered the request for a written appeal carefully before approving it.
The decision was made before the island went into lockdown.
It was on the grounds that two public hearings had already been held about the site. Despite writing to 50 people, who had made representations on the plans, fewer than 10 people turned up to either hearing.
The tribunal will still have copies of written third party representations and these will be taken into account.
Third party representors can make written submissions to the panel, explaining why they believe, in the interests of fairness, a further public hearing on proposed development on this site should be held.
Concerns have been raised with the media that low turnout is due to hearings being held during the working day. However, Mr Harry said these have not been raised with the panel. He added that as part of the wider court system, hearings needed to be heard during working hours.
The appeal had been due to be considered by the panel in late February. Due to lockdown this might be delayed, but the panel do plan to use Microsoft Teams to determine the appeal.
Mr Holland said having a written appeal meant there was little reason to delay and he welcomed the news that the panel was using technology to continue its work.
