Will mass development of St Sampson’s solve the island’s housing problem?

We all know the Island Development Plan is biased, flawed and unworkable and it’s certainly unfair on the DPA to be given the responsibility to implement it in its current form. However, a second refusal on this project based purely on principle and protest would have sent a clear message to the planning officers.

They could have also stated that if this application were to be approved on appeal, they would recommend that the housing categories should be reversed so that there would be 52 affordable properties and 16 investment properties. This would lead to developers crying ‘unprofitable’ and just might halt or delay the project a little longer. What a brilliant positive outcome that would be. Just think, neighbours would not have to give up part of their land, there would be less traffic chaos, less noise, less pollution and less pressure on schools and teachers – my grandson is in a class of 28, by the way. But above all retain a little bit of greenery and biodiversity, please. Developers, do not promise to install a hedgehog house and a bat box.

The big sacrifice would be the possible loss of 16 affordable homes which was kindly given to the GHA, which is a significant number in the present housing crisis. We must also ask ourselves, why do we need housing associations? Why do we have to negotiate with developers to secure a small percentage of affordable homes? I’m sure we all know the answer to that one. At present the island is facing a massive land grab. Developers are grabbing every building plot or reasonably priced house available, and why not? Modest outlay equals huge profits on extortionate rents. This problem was highlighted by Damien Wood (estate agent) in a recent article.

So we must ask ourselves, is the mass development of St Sampson’s going to solve the island’s housing problem? Who does it benefit? Could our States do more to help all the island’s residents buy and rent at a reasonable cost? There are solutions to help alleviate these housing pressures, but does our current States assembly have the commitment, energy, courage and lack of vested interest to curb the amount of houses investors rent out, to put price caps on rents, raise taxes on property profits, and above all allow development in appropriate areas across the island and not rely on squeezing 800 houses into one and a half square miles of St Sampson’s?

My guess is that they will stick with the status quo and keep their heads down – after all, they may be successful and end up with housing next to them, and heaven forbid – that would never do.

I think I’ll end this letter as I can hear my little grandson Freddie destroying something. I wonder what sort of St Sampson’s he will inherit in 20 years or so. Will it look ugly and overdeveloped by years of planning and development abuse and will there still be a housing crisis?

PS think St Sampson’s residents should be very worried. Peter Falla has stated St Sampson’s is not overdeveloped and has only 4,000 homes compared to St Peter Port’s 9,000. Perhaps St Sampson’s has a lot of catching up to do?

RICK LE NOURY

Melandra

L’Ancresse

Vale