The process began as a response to the proposals brought forward by the States in the Island Development Plan review in 2024, in which the parish said it was not consulted.
Last year, the proposals it had put together were put out for feedback from parishioners, and the updated draft community plan is now ready for island-wide consultation.
Douzenier Carla Bauer, who also sits on the St Martin’s Community Plan Committee, told attendees at last week’s parish meeting that the parish consultation had received more than 1,000 comments.
A second round of feedback in October gathered another 250 comments.
‘The updated community plan has been shared with Traffic & Highways Services and the Development & Planning Authority, and the reason we have spoken to them at this stage is to make sure that we’re not going against any policy,’ she said.
‘We made a few minor adjustments and the final Community Plan is now online for viewing.
‘It will go out to island-wide consultation for a period of six weeks and we’re hoping that by June of this year, it will be approved, which is about the same time that the IDP will be debated in the States.’
The proposals include creating an area of parkland in the village centre that can be used for recreation, events and activities to bring the community together, with access through to Burnt Lane and links to the school and the redevelopment of the rectory.
Motor Mall and Manor Stores could become mixed-use and private housing sites to provide additional private housing for older people with replacement convenience retail, offices and community facilities, and affordable housing sites could be seen at School Lane, La Vallee Vinery and Regency Vinery
The idea of a south coast ‘leisure opportunity’ site is included, using run down and redundant glasshouse sites outside the agricultural priority area to form outdoor leisure facilities such as a cycling pump track or mountain bike track.
The plan highlights a need for additional pedestrian crossings, footpath improvements, cycle paths, and traffic changes such as reducing speeds.
Appropriate and accessible housing provision sites have been identified at St Margaret’s Lodge, Braye Lodge Hotel, the Chalet Hotel and Idlerocks, and it is envisaged that the Bon Port Hotel could become a boutique retreat or private housing site.
Tourism opportunities sit at Icart and Jerbourg kiosks with the potential upgrading of the existing buildings to include covered external seating and toilet facilities.
Proposals have been brought forward from the community as aspirations – there is no obligation on land or property owners to accommodate or support the proposals and no there is no obligation for public bodies to deliver them.
General statements about the current parish provision identified insufficient parking in the parish centre, particularly at school drop-off and pick-up times, and safety improvements would be needed for pedestrians and cyclists.
It is also envisaged that existing green spaces and open land should be protected from development and more trees planted and street and navigational signs should be upgraded.
Parishioners also requested more bins around the parish, and a green waste facility in a convenient location.
The updated draft community plan can be viewed here.