Parishioners’ ideas needed for St Martin’s community plan

The parish is the island's second to look to draw up a community plan, after success in St Peter’s, which has now become supplementary planning guidance.

The St Martin’s plan – which is expected to take a year to complete – is being led by recently-elected parish junior constable and former deputy Carla Bauer, who is leading a planning committee of eight parish residents from a range of different backgrounds.

Ms Bauer said the plan was primarily in response to proposals announced last summer by the Development & Planning Authority to allocate three sites within the middle of St Martin’s – by the Grande Rue car park, on Ville Amphrey and off Burnt Lane – on which to build mostly affordable housing.

‘The locations of these sites would likely require access through narrow and already congested lanes, and would extend the boundary of the local centre,’ she said.

‘This flagged up issues over the manner in which future development within the parish might be managed, the available infrastructure and the impact it could have on the strong sense of identity and cohesion the parish enjoys.’

She said she had been in touch with the DPA, which was in favour of her idea, while she also has the backing of her parish.

‘Simply, we are looking for residents, but also people who work in, shop in and use the parish, to tell us what they like about it, what they don’t like about it, and what they’d like to see in the future.’

The plan’s consultation stage will last until May, when Ms Bauer and her committee hope to showcase their findings as part of a visual presentation and exhibition in the parish hall.

She said the responses to the plan so far had been good, with housing unsurprisingly one of the main focuses.

‘What we’ve found at this early stage is that people don’t want regimented, similar new builds, they want a mix, whether that be 2-bedroom units or family units.’

‘On the site of the former St Martin’s hotel for instance, there is support for mixed housing there in order to ensure a community-type feel.’

A new children’s playground similar to the one at Saumarez Park is one of a number of community projects that have been suggested, while Ms Bauer also said issues to do with traffic and infrastructure had been raised.

‘All these potential new houses are going to be on the periphery of narrow lanes, so how they will be accessed with increased traffic volume is a big question mark.’

The plan will ultimately only include proposals supported by a majority of respondents, with more consultations planned following this initial first phase.

‘We will also be reaching out to specific community groups directly, to gain as wide an understanding of those challenges and opportunities as possible,’ Ms Bauer said.

‘There are 2,800 residential and business properties in St Martin’s, and our wish is to connect and engage with as many of them as possible.’

• Those wishing to share their views can email info@stmartinconstables.com or post their comments to the parish’s Constables Office.