In his report on the review of the Island Development Plan, Keith Holland pointed out the lack of an identifiable centre within the proposed local centre and the lack of amenities in the area – points which the DPA disputes.
‘There are a large number of objections to the designation of Vazon as a local centre. Many of these argue that Vazon is an area with a relatively small number of dwellings and point out that Vazon does not have the facilities to qualify as a local centre,’ Mr Holland said in the report.
‘Objectors point out that Vazon does not have a post office, a bank, a pharmacy, a school or doctors’ surgery.
‘Drainage and flooding problems are raised in many of the representations. Guernsey Water agree that a drainage strategy is needed for the area. No up-to-date flood risk assessment has been undertaken for Vazon.
‘The argument is made that there has been no material change of circumstances since the last IDP inquiry which concluded that Vazon should not be defined as a local centre as the area lacks an identifiable core. That inquiry also found that the restaurant/cafe [Vistas] appeared to be geared towards visitors rather than the local community.’
Whispers Vinery, which the DPA proposed to be in the new Vazon local centre, is one of the nine sites being proposed for affordable housing. The inspector also raised traffic and drainage concerns around the that vinery site but the DPA believes these are not insurmountable which is why it has retained it within its list of sites for affordable housing.
The DPA considers that the States should decide whether Vazon is a local centre or not.
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