'Flexibility' works both ways

Indeed, what would be the point of flexibility if, from the developer's side, being allowed to build represented flexibility yet, from the opposing side, it meant unethical unfairness? If there is a public plan, then the default position should be that the plan is stuck to, and its principles not be allowed to be bent just because one side says that it requires flexibility. And if there genuinely is an aspect of the IDP which is open to judgement, then it should be appreciated that flexibility runs both ways.

Mr Ferbrache also writes that dealing with planning and development issues as a lawyer has shown him that these are some of the biggest obstacles to people expanding their businesses, settling in Guernsey, or developing in accordance with the reasonable aspirations for their properties. Again this may be so, but it runs both ways. What about those people who don't want to settle here because it is too overcrowded and costly, or those of us who believe Guernsey is at absolute jam-packed breaking point?

I believe Guernsey has reached a natural maximum population size and infrastructure development, beyond which the quality of life will rapidly decrease. Soon (perhaps in less than 10 years) I believe there will probably be a debate on how to offset Guernsey's 'demographic timebomb'. Certain economically motivated parties would likely press for policies which would change the demographic, such as actively encouraging a significant increase in Guernsey's population size or encouraging increased immigration of the right sort of workers. Hand in hand with this, there are those who seem to dream of turning Guernsey into an elite offshore financial centre, with Costa Brava coastal scenery but a city-like infrastructure to rival the City of London.

However, we are naturally limited by our tiny geographical size and difficult transport links with the mainland. Increasing the scope for economic development from now on will be a case of diminishing returns – for every infrastructure development and population increase there will be a two-fold decrease in both quality of life and damage to the natural environment. In such a scenario a certain demographic would start to feel unhappy and leave the island. Those who would naturally replace them would see the matter differently, happy to live in a more city-like environment and who would make the 'right sort' of contribution to Guernsey's economic development.

In the present, we have a fairly constant background noise from those asking that various green spaces be released for development, calls for increased flexibility in planning laws, and so on. Our society is pressured into moving down the paths of those who see things only in terms of economic vitality and development. They are entitled to make their voices heard and, if they are the majority, Guernsey will head down those paths. Guernsey is moving into the future. It can take a long time for public opinion to influence political opinion. So far we have had a fairly constant stream of powerful voices complaining that, on economic principle, it is too difficult to develop on Guernsey; if there is anyone on the other side they too need to make their voices heard before it is too late.

ANDREW LEE,

Les Salines,

St Martins,

GY4 6DN.