Guernsey Press

Rethink needed on building in north

At LAST common sense has come to the fore regarding the housing development at Pointues Rocques. We can only hope this continues to other proposed large developments in the Vale and St Sampson’s area.

Published

It is now time to think about just how much building and, as a result, lack of green and open space the north should have to put up with. Despite what the president of the Development & Planning Authority thinks, traffic is a huge problem and should be considered before any planning permission is granted even though the UK-based engineering consultant Arup agrees the Pointues Rocques scheme will have ‘a minimal impact on traffic’.

May I suggest that she, and any members of Planning – preferably families with husband and wife both working, children at different schools and a dog that needs attention at lunchtime – try living at L’Ancresse or the Bridge. Try this during January and February when cycling and walking are not really an option. They may then change their minds about the need to put all this housing in the north.

Do they realise it is not just the high numbers of domestic cars, but oil tankers, sewage lorries, States Works, Ronez, Ferryspeed and other such heavy duty vehicles are all based either in the Vale or St Sampson’s.

Not to mention the Longue Hougue Recycling Centre, a victim of its own success, which generates huge amounts of traffic both in and out.

Not all the rubbish comes from the north, but we have to put up with it.

Perhaps it is time some thought was given to developing areas in St Peter’s, St Saviour’s and Torteval. Surely families from here would prefer to remain in their own parish rather than live in the already overcrowded Vale and St Sampson’s.

ANGELA MCKANE