What price east coast progress?
ALTHOUGH it at least has its own website with a timeline of progress, the role of the States Development Agency always seemed rather loose and a project of hope above expectation.
Gestated apparently rather ‘on the hoof’ when the States rejected new harbour plans for the east coast in 2021, it came back to the assembly for approval last summer with the impression from the policy letter than the concept was far from fully formed.
The website lists ambitious aims of work starting on a long-term development plan, including plans for land at the harbours and commercial port requirements, within a few weeks, with work starting on a major project between 2024 and 2026. The first project was due to be completed from 2030.
But now its role and budget has been cut, at least for the next 18 months, as part of States savings, and its work restricted to ‘administrative tasks’ while local planning briefs are drawn up for the harbours. It is no surprise – deputies warned that the process was placing cart before horse a year ago.
In announcing the move, P&R says that timing remains ‘on track’ and that the agency will launch properly before the end of the political term.
Many islanders would welcome some redevelopment the east coast, but won’t be surprised if, especially in financially-stricken times, ‘mothballing’ this huge project now is also likely to stifle any prospect of real progress.