Tuesday 10 February 2015
The Environment Department has announced that the draft Island Development Plan will be made public on Monday 16th February 2015.
Environment Minister, Deputy Yvonne Burford said:
"I am delighted to be able to say that the draft Island Development Plan will be published on Monday. This has been an incredibly complex piece of work and the Department is very pleased with the results. It considers that the draft Plan is responsive, positive and flexible and is based on evidence of Guernsey's needs and aspirations. It will allow the development needed for the Island's economic prosperity and social needs whilst making sure that Guernsey remains a unique place in which to live, work and to visit."
The Environment Department began the formal review of the existing Development Plans, the Urban Area Plan and the Rural Area Plan, in 2012. A comprehensive review was required to bring land use policies into line with the Strategic Land Use Plan which was approved by the States in 2011, so that planning policies can respond to the current and emerging land use issues over the next ten years. It is the first time that the Development Plans have been reviewed simultaneously and is the first Development Plan to be produced since the present Planning Law came into effect in 2009.
The Environment Department recognised from the outset that the Island Development Plan will have a vital role to play in the Island's future. It will potentially have a significant impact on both residents and businesses and the Department recognises the importance of public consultation throughout the process. As a result, the Plan making process has involved a significant amount of consultation and Islanders have helped shape the draft Island Development Plan.
The Environment Department has now handed over the draft Island Development Plan to the Policy Council, which will now put in place arrangements for a full public consultation, overseen by independent planning inspectors, as required by the current Planning Law.
Deputy Burford added:
"The Department would like to thank everyone who has engaged with the Plan review so far. The comments and feedback received have provided valuable insight into how the Island functions and what people value from a variety of perspectives which has helped to shape the draft Plan. However, this is not the end of the Plan making process and I would strongly encourage everyone to take a look at the draft Plan and to give their views and comments on the policies so that we can all continue to develop a Plan which is as good as it possibly can be and will be fit for purpose for the next ten years."
Alongside the draft Plan, the Department will also publish an Environmental Statement of the Environmental Impact Assessment of relevant draft Plan policies and four Supplementary Planning Guidance notes which explain further some of the policies in the Plan.
From Monday 16th February the draft Plan and Environmental Statement, including its non-technical summary, and the Supplementary Planning Guidance notes will be available for public inspection on the States website (www.gov.gg/planninginquiry) and at the Environment Department's reception (Sir Charles Frossard House), at the Greffe and at the Guille-Allès Library during normal office hours.
Environment Department and Policy Council staff will be available to answer questions, explain the draft Island Development Plan and the next steps in the process at two informal Saturday 'drop-in' events which all are welcome to attend. These will be held between 09:00hrs and 14:00hrs at Earlswood Garden Centre, Vale on 21st February and Le Friquet Garden Centre, Castel on 28th February. Additionally, the Department has asked the various parish Constables' Offices to display the draft Plan, the non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement and the Supplementary Planning Guidance notes during to their usual hours of opening.
Contact Information:
For information on the draft Island Development Plan:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
For further information about the Planning Inquiry public consultation and how to make comments on the draft Island Development Plan please contact:
Damon Hackley, Strategic Planning Officer
Policy Council
Tel: 717000
