Our attitudes to development must change

Price and availability of property influence whether young islanders choose to return to Guernsey after university – risking an obvious ‘brain drain’.

The tax review debate has now identified a reluctance to raise new taxes – one of the few levers left for the island is to increase the size of the workforce by encouraging more immigration.

The news agenda this week has been dominated by planning matters. Rejection of the long-running saga over Pointues Rocques will no doubt leave the developers and young islanders desperately looking for a home equally disappointed.

Yes, the merits of the planning application had to be addressed. Were there too many homes for the site? Was infrastructure properly unable to cope? Would the developers consider a smaller scheme?

But also yesterday a draft planning framework – a long way away from any ‘plans’ being drawn up – was published for the two fields situated between La Vrangue and Pitronnerie Road. This land has been identified for housing for what feels like decades, when the States first identified the need to build the now discredited target of 300 new homes a year.

It may not be the best place for a housing development. But the immediate reaction, including from senior politicians, begs the question – just where is considered an acceptable location for house building?

Green field developments might be ‘too easy’ for some. But the challenges of identifying, and then progressing, brown field sites and derelict or vacant individual properties is even greater. Flats above the ‘shop’ in Mill and Mansell Street, anyone?

If the community won’t face up to the housing ‘crisis’, imminent population ‘crisis’, and accept the need for more residential units to be created, then a true and deeply damaging crisis is inevitable.

Embracing new homes can help avoid a declining population and boost a stuttering economy, which is why mindsets need to change around this issue. And soon.