DPA removing framework need for smaller housing projects

The Island Development Plan 2016 requires development frameworks to be approved for certain sites to guide developers and other interested parties when considering building within certain specified areas or circumstances.

Deputy Oliver said it was now removing the requirement for frameworks for smaller housing proposals of fewer than 20 dwellings in the main centres and main centre outer areas, and fewer than 10 dwellings in local centres.

This will streamline the planning process and free up resources at planning.

Deputy Oliver said this change was part of changing how planners were viewed.

‘I want to make the DPA a facilitator, not an obstacle to development, while still protecting what people love about Guernsey,’ she said.

Deputy Oliver said the committee had acted quickly after receiving feedback from industry that frameworks were not working.

She added that they were quite burdensome for the planners and architects.

‘They were slowing things down by 18 months,’ she said.

‘Our evidence concluded that for smaller housing sites the benefits of development frameworks can generally be achieved through the planning application process and the public will still be able to comment on or object to any given application.

‘By increasing the thresholds as we have this will reduce the burden on developers, get proposed housing developments to site more quickly and free up resources within the States.

‘We will still ensure that appropriate consultation with the community takes place through the planning application process and that the views of the public are listened to.

‘The committee will continue to monitor this new approach.’

Each framework goes out to public consultation to take community feedback into consideration before a final document is approved by the authority.

The previous thresholds at which a development framework was required were for developments comprising 10 or more new dwellings in main centres and main centre outer areas, and five or more new dwellings in the local centres.

The authority is retaining discretion to waive the requirement for a development framework for other sites where it does not consider it would be beneficial or require a development framework for smaller housing sites falling below the new thresholds. This is if it considers that particularly complex issues exist which cannot be satisfactorily addressed only through the planning application process.

Three frameworks are currently being considered – Chouet headland, Leale’s Yard and Belgrave Vinery.

Deputy Oliver said for large sites like these, frameworks were still important.

‘They bring everything together,’ she said.

‘With large sites, with multiple entrances, we want to make sure a development is cohesive and flows.

‘It is also about public amenity, which you need to get right... so for large sites it makes sense.’