Development tax idea has been around for years
I recently started a clear-out of 50 years’-worth of ‘stuff’ in my house. I came across an article from the Guernsey Press, which for some unknown reason I had cut out and kept, headed, ‘Development tax could provide cash for roads’.
The general thrust of the article was that the then Public Thoroughfares Committee were feeling the pressure to maintain our roads properly with an inadequate budget, as the roads were deteriorating due to increasing volumes of traffic.
Sound familiar?
This article was published in the Press in 1973. It was suggested that a ‘development tax’ be levied and the money raised used to keep our roads in a state of good repair.
Since 1973 traffic volumes have possibly increased 100% and so has the size and weight of many delivery vehicles, which is detrimental to our road surfaces, especially in the smaller road and lanes.
The building industry has never been so busy – it is a wonder we have any scaffolding left in the island. Everywhere you go, development large and small is taking place. We all have to suffer development at some time or another.
For example, just in the small lane where I live there has been a huge amount of development, large and small, over the past 20 years. No less than four demolish and rebuilds, four partial demolish and rebuilds and many other smaller developments such as sun lounges etc. And just when we thought it was safe to enjoy the tranquillity of this little lane, another dwelling has been partially demolished and is now being rebuilt.
The volume of heavy vehicle movements in this area is quite extraordinary. JCBs, cement mixers, dumper trucks and huge lorries going to and fro carrying away excavated material from the site. No doubt the next stage will see huge lorries with cranes to deliver building materials. And a plethora of ‘white van men’ to work on the property.
As I said, we all have to suffer development, road closures etc. So why not raise a tax on development?
I cannot see the problem with this. Perhaps introduce it with a graduated scale according to how much damage and disruption vehicle movements cause. The building of social housing could be exempt.
Before I awaken the ‘wokes’ or trigger the ‘trolls’, I say the following tongue in cheek.
There is a prime site in St Peter Port that could provide a small clos of sheltered housing, for example; an area of grass, with a bus stop outside and near to a doctor’s surgery.
I am surprised the planners have not produced a ‘development brief’ for this site. They seem to have targeted every green space they can throughout the island.
Where is this site? The garden of Government House, of course.
We all have to suffer development.
Janine Le Sauvage
Meadow View
Les Hubits de Bas
St Martin’s
GY4 6NB