As its attention turned to the southern parish, a few key areas proposed for development were mentioned, including Regency Vinery and School Lane Vinery.
While many of those engaged in the process were in favour of the idea of putting housing on those sites, there was a sole voice of dissent against one of them.
With regard to School Lane, Paul Nobes from developers Infinity said he had spoken to neighbours of the site and consulted with the States traffic department and Property Services in order to come up with a viable proposition.
If plans were approved, the development would be a joint venture between Infinity and the Guernsey Housing Association and a mix of affordable and market housing. Between 30 and 50 units could be built on the land, he said.
Former deputy Carla Bauer, the lead on the St Martin’s community plan for the parish douzaine, said that residents had accepted the need for the parish to take some affordable housing, with a wish to see former hotel sites in the area used.
There was also support for the developments at the two vinery sites.
However, Rob Prow, the parish’s new constable and another former deputy, said he was speaking on behalf of a number of residents who were against the Regency Vinery development on the grounds that it was too high density, the impact it would have on traffic and its effect on the environment.
Some 39 homes had been suggested for the site, he said. Such a development would radically alter the character of the area and its boundaries are in Steam Mill Lane, which was just about wide enough for one car, with pedestrians having to stand to the side to allow traffic past.
In addition, the site was right next to woodland and although planners had described it as ‘unkempt’ the undergrowth was no different to what could be seen on the cliff paths in the parish, he said.
Principal forward planning officer Simone Whyte said the Development & Planning Authority had given consideration to the areas of biodiversity included in the most recently available habitat survey from 2018.
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