It said that the report by Keith Holland did not address its concerns about the concentration of these developments.
‘The observations of the inspector are somewhat ironic in that he agrees with the concerns highlighted by the public about a development of just 89 homes at Vazon, when similar and validated concerns consistently raised by the douzaine and its parishioners over a number of years about wholesale redevelopment of the north of the island have largely been ignored,’ it said in a statement.
The Development & Planning Authority disagreed with the inspector’s recommendation about Vazon, however, and has retained it on its list of affordable housing sites. The States will have the final say, and the douzaine said it would continue to advocate for a more balanced distribution of new housing across the island.
Aside from the inspectors’ views about Vazon, the douzaine said it was concerned about the recommendations for additional affordable housing sites in St Sampson’s and proposals that will affect two agricultural fields at L’Islet.
Mr Holland has recommended six additional affordable housing sites. Two of these are in St Sampson’s – land opposite Kimberley Avenue at Sandy Hook and land behind Cranfield House, formerly the Melody Press site, at L’Islet.
But only one of these will be added by the DPA – the Sandy Hook site, along with Springhurst House in the Forest.
While the douzaine said it accepted the need for more affordable housing, it was likely to object to any proposed further allocation of housing sites in the parish.
And it will continue to support the protection of green fields, be they Areas of Biodiversity Importance or not, in order to minimise the overall level of impact from proposed housing developments in the north. Future housing applications in the area could face strong opposition if concerns about traffic, road safety, infrastructure capacity and flood risk were not adequately addressed.
‘The douzaine is not opposed to housing development in the north of the island and wants to work proactively with the States to achieve this but has consistently asked that existing and future housing development be distributed more equitably across the island,’ it said.
Despite its criticisms, the douzaine welcomed recommendations supporting additional housing within an expanded L’Aumone local centre, including sites at King Edward VII Hospital, Castel Hospital and Perruque House.
‘This at least goes some way towards redistributing some of the burden of housing development away from the north of the island.’
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