Ad-hoc approach to building is wrong
I WRITE in support of Deputy Steve Falla’s requete for the States to look at housing sites for key staff accommodation, and, as Geoff Dorey has urged, to look more widely at possible sites. This is especially urgent at a time when international food supplies are becoming a matter of concern.
There seems to be general agreement that housing in the island is inadequate, although I wonder how much account has been taken of vacant accommodation, perhaps held only for investment purposes.
However, further accommodation should not be at the expense of existing green spaces. I endorse Deputy Falla’s view that these constitute a green lung. This benefits not only the PEH estate (with its ‘industrial’ processes on site) but St Peter Port itself.
On a personal note, for several years I was a regular patient in the PEH and it comforted me a great deal to be able to look out and see trees and birds in the courtyard outside. Obviously, the courtyards are not threatened (at the moment). Rather, I am emphasising the importance of green spaces to people’s mental wellbeing, about which there is increasing concern.
There appears to be a great deal of ad hoc-ery when it comes to building and we would benefit from wider and more integrated planning, and not only in relation to the PEH.
I wish Deputy Falla and his colleagues success with their endeavours to raise standards of policy-making and practice with regard to housing.
LORRAINE PANNETT