Public suggests nearly 350 sites as suitable for housing
More than 300 submissions have been made in the Development & Planning Authority’s call for sites for possible new housing.
The appeal was an opportunity for residents, landowners and organisations to suggest land that is available for housing or employment development in the next 10 years to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of sites to meet the island’s needs.
DPA president Victoria Oliver said the committee was really pleased by the response, with almost 350 submissions received.
‘The Planning Service is now going through the process of confirming that all the necessary information has been provided for each submission, and if not, requesting further information,’ she said.
‘Given the high number of responses, we expect to complete this exercise by mid-November.’
The sites will be assessed against a set methodology agreed by the committee, to determine which sites will feed into the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the Employment Land Study, which will inform the preparation of amendments to the Island Development Plan.
‘We are required to follow a set process to amend the policies in the Island Development Plan, which is set out in the planning law and associated ordinances and regulations,’ Deputy Oliver said.
‘As well as the call for sites, so far we have been notifying affected stakeholders, including States committees, utility providers and parish constables, as well as carrying out research and evidence gathering.
‘The draft amendments to the Island Development Plan are due to be published in 2024, after which a planning inquiry will take place, giving members of the public the opportunity to make representations.’
The States Strategic Housing Indicator 2023-2027 suggests that about 1,500 new homes would be needed over the five years, with more than half of them coming from the private sector.
But with most of the existing housing allocation sites having been developed, new sites are needed. This led to the latest call for sites.
Deputy Oliver said her committee was still planning to bring a policy letter to the States this political term.
