Islanders ‘need to have their say on latest revised IDP draft’
Islanders need to have their say on the latest revised IDP draft plan amendments independent planning inspector Keith Holland has said, as the long-delayed document was finally published this morning.
Public hearings on the revisions were due to take place last October, after two phases of consultation had been completed.
But the timetable was pushed back last summer after the first phase was completed. Public hearings are now expected to take place later this year.
‘While there has been some inevitable delay to the inquiry timetable as originally envisaged, I consider that the publication of these revised proposals is a reflection of the public inquiry process serving its purpose,’ Mr Holland said.
‘The extensive feedback and information provided by islanders who engaged in the initial representations exercise last summer has served to inform and highlight the need for further substantive work.
‘The DPA has undertaken this work, reviewing further the proposed revisions to the Island Development Plan, including importantly the approach to the delivery of more affordable housing in locations considered appropriate.’
He said it was vital that islanders continued to have their say.
‘It is critical that I am able to consider a wide range of views through this additional focused consultation,’ he said.
‘There is a window of some eight weeks to comment and I would urge the community to again engage in the process in order to further inform and shape this important review of the Island Development Plan.
‘Until I receive the representations from this consultation and, at the next stage, the further representations [presently programmed to follow after the general election], I am not in a position to assess the merits of the revised proposals.
‘Notwithstanding this, and without prejudice to my further detailed consideration, I would like to thank the DPA for undertaking this extensive work in a timely manner.’
The policy letter for the changes will be not be published until next year, when it will be considered by the States.
‘We have a number of steps to go through with this process, and then it should come about,’ said DPA president Victoria Oliver.
‘The process should go to the States about April 2026, and then I’m hoping shortly after we’ll see planning proposals come in, with spades in the ground shortly after.’
