St Martin's constable warns of impact of 100-homes plan

He was responding to the publication of the Island Development Plan review, which includes the Development & Planning Authority’s ideas for how to update the plan. It has tried to tackle a shortage of housing, with six new sites identified for largely affordable housing.

Three of them centre around the middle of St Martin’s – by Grande Rue car park, on Ville Amphrey and off Burnt Lane – which could see more than 100 homes built.

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment also identified two more parish sites – the former St Martin’s Hotel and the former Lloyds Bank – for more than 100 homes between them.

Parish constable Dave Beausire said that housing was obviously needed.

‘Affordable housing is definitely needed, as we need young people to stay in Guernsey,’ he said.

‘It’s a positive move to encourage low-cost housing. So while there are many obvious positives, we must be mindful to the impact on traffic and schools.’

The three affordable housing sites were chosen in part because they were close to the parish school.

St Martin's is already the biggest primary school in the island, with more than 500 pupils, although a recent decline in pupil numbers means it will be dropping from three reception classes to two from this September.

Mr Beausire said infrastructure had to be in place if the housing went ahead.

‘If we are talking 150 homes, including those already planned around Valpys, that’s probably 200 children and 200-plus cars,’ he said.

‘Where do we put them? The school is already at capacity and you don’t want everyone driving to La Houguette.’

He added that the three affordable sites were in small lanes, so access would need to be considered.

‘Take the site at the School Lane vinery,’ he said.

‘If you take the traffic through the planned estate on the car park you will have it all coming out on to La Grande Rue.’

The long-awaited Better Transport Plan was published last month, but it only focuses on traffic issues in the north of the island, where several former vinery sites have been earmarked for housing.

Mr Beausire said that from his personal point of view he wanted to see a change in how States housing was allocated and paid for.

‘You could make half the houses only available for people who are locally qualified by birth or by marriage.

‘If the States retain ownership of the land, you only sell the property lease with 100% States mortgages. If it is sold within 10 years, 100% goes back to the States, after that it reduces year by year, but even after 25 years, money from a sale would still go back to the States.’