Significance of IDP should be appreciated

It is a lengthy document. I have been dealing with various development plans since I became a Guernsey advocate in March 1981. I have read them all. I have attended most of the planning inquiries. I have not seen a document as detailed and as far reaching as this one in all of that experience.

There is a promise of flexibility from the planners, which I am absolutely certain is given in good faith. I have to say though having dealt with various development plans, the Island Development Committee and the Environment Committee that that has generally not been my experience previously when such assurances have been given. Without doubting anyone's good faith I thus take such assurances with a measure of circumspection. Experience teaches me thus to have regard to my own experience in considering the statement about flexibility. I have dealt with very many planning officers over the last years. Without exception they have always been courteous and civil. Nevertheless, flexibility is not a word that I would generally apply to my dealings with the various planning authorities.

I am also aware from my lengthy experience as a lawyer in Guernsey, dealing with many planning matters and from discussions and representations that I have had, that planning and development issues have been one of the biggest bars and obstacles to people either coming to Guernsey and developing businesses, or expanding their businesses or developing in accordance with their reasonable aspirations for their properties.

Hence again I emphasise the importance of this document and I urge you to have regard to it.

You will be aware that two experienced planning inspectors produced the planning report which they submitted to the relevant authority in Guernsey as far back as March 2016. That has only recently been made available. That report itself runs to nearly 100 pages.

You may have concerns either as individuals or as business proprietors or for many other reasons. You should, where appropriate, take independent advice on the plan which as I emphasise is a detailed and complicated document. You should satisfy yourself, as best as you can, that it is going to meet your reasonable needs and aspirations for the lengthy foreseeable future.

If not, then you need to lobby your deputies. There is no point, though, in just saying 'we do not like this plan and you should do something about it'. Such lobbying and representations have to be cogent and constructive. I, and I am sure other members of the Committee for Economic Development, welcome any such representations that you may wish to make. I do stress though that for them to be meaningful they have to be rational, coherent and logical. You have to highlight what you regard, if you do so regard, any failings in the proposed Island Development Plan.

If you are satisfied with it then that is fine and it will pass through the States I anticipate then without much or any amendment. If not, then this is the time to address it.

I am not seeking to encourage people to make representations unless they believe they have good reasons to do so.

I stress again the very, very important nature of this document and the effect it is going to have on planning matters for the next 10 years or so.

I urge you thus to consider its provisions as a matter of urgency. Again, do not be frightened to take advice from experts both within and, if necessary, outside of the island if you believe it is required.

I am grateful to you for taking the time to read this letter and I urge you to give this matter your careful and early attention.

PETER FERBRACHE,

President,

Committee for Economic Development.