‘States’ approach is the key factor in lack of new housing’
CONSTRUCTION industry representatives have said that developers are not at fault for the lack of new housing in recent years but claim the States’ approach is a key factor behind the problem.
A recent housing report run by independent experts arc4 outlined a wide range of reasons for Guernsey suffering some of the highest housing costs in Europe. They included a significant number of sites remaining undeveloped, despite planning permission having been granted.
Infinity Construction owner Paul Nobes said the blame should not be put on local developers.
‘At least two-thirds of stopped developments are for good reason,’ he said.
‘It’s a much more difficult environment than it’s ever been, especially financially. A lot of permissions aren’t fit for purpose in this time of uncertainty and just simply can’t be built.’
Mr Nobes claimed that indecision from the Development & Planning Authority was making the problem worse.
‘Also, [planning policy] GP11 is not fit for purpose because there needs to be a monetary contribution. A group of developers met with the DPA to talk about changes, where they were told a decision would have to wait,’ he said.
‘Frankly, that’s suicide for trying to create new homes and I’m still a little baffled. Firstly, we were told it was a law thing, but then they said it could happen at some point.’
Policy GP11 requires all planning applications over 20 units of accommodation to provide between 26% and 30% of the developable land to the Guernsey Housing Association, free of charge, for affordable housing.
Guernsey Construction Forum vice-chairman Paul Le Tissier is another critic of the policy.
‘GP11 is dead, so there is no point trying to revive it. To solve the problem, government needs to start working in partnership with landowners and developers,’ he said.
‘Sites like the Castel Hospital should be redeveloped by the private sector, but why list it? That will only increase costs and create a significant obstacle to its redevelopment.’
Mr Le Tissier added that too much government intervention had held back potential housing developments.
‘The free market needs to be embraced. Government imposing tariffs and fines is retrograde,’ he said.
‘Stop the development frameworks and the over-complicated planning application process. Guernsey has too many difficult obstacles to obtaining grant of planning that other jurisdictions do not have.’
