Currently, properties are occasionally added to, or removed from, the Protected Buildings list when planning applications are submitted or when a property is put up for sale.
This approach was introduced following criticism back in 2012 that the States had no procedures in place to enable the ad hoc protection of buildings with a special interest that were under the immediate threat of development. But it has been considered to be unfair by the DPA, the wider States and the public. Instead of an ad hoc approach, the DPA will begin a new project to proactively assess and decide if some 170 residential buildings should be protected based on their special historic, traditional, architectural or other interest.
‘This is about making the process of identifying and protecting Guernsey’s historic buildings clearer, fairer and more transparent,’ said DPA president Neil Inder.
‘By carrying out this exercise, we can give owners, purchasers and developers greater certainty, while ensuring that those buildings that make a significant contribution to our historic environment are safeguarded for the future.’
The move is intended to provide greater clarity for property owners, purchasers and developers, improve transparency in decision-making, and address concerns that the current system is unfair.
The project will be delivered in phases through to June 2029. It will involve building surveys, detailed research and assessment against the published criteria for protected buildings.
The DPA’s conservation and design team will soon be writing to all of the 170 or so residential property owners with more information and to arrange surveys for those whose properties are part of the first phase.
The project focuses on residential buildings identified as potentially having special interest. It does not include commercial or non-residential buildings such as churches, offices or shops or Occupation-era structures.
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