Do ‘Open Market’ and ‘Local Market’ really exist?

I came upon a situation recently that an Open Market person had a property which has a very small garden plot attached to it. They asked permission to build a house and duly were awarded that permit and was judged by law has to be Local Market. The house has now been built, but the person living in the Open Market house has now been here over 25 years, now claiming his local status.

He now wishes to sell his Open Market house and move into a Local Market one.

Would it be possible for the relevant States department to reply to this query to explain if this is allowable under our housing law? If this is the case, it’s no wonder local people cannot find property to afford.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.

Editor’s footnote: a States of Guernsey spokesperson replies:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

The correspondent appears to have confused provisions under the Open Market Register Law and those under the Population Management Law. For clarity, in simple terms, the Open Market Register Law relates to the Open Market property itself whilst the Population Management Law governs its occupation.

Hence, it is possible under the Open Market Register Law for an owner of an Open Market property, with the relevant permissions, to subdivide their property to erect a unit of Local Market accommodation within its grounds.

A person who moves to Guernsey to live in Open Market accommodation does so without the expectation of gaining Local Market status.

There are circumstances, however, when it is appropriate, under the Population Management Law, to grant a permit which allows a person to live in local market accommodation. These situations are looked on as a case-by-case basis by the administrator. Certain conditions may apply, for example in accordance with an employment permit or living with a partner. It is also possible for any locally qualified person to occupy an Open Market or Local Market property of their choosing.

However, it should be noted that these are two entirely separate things, under two separate pieces of legislation which are administered separately by the States.