Monday 17 June 2019
Today the Development & Planning Authority is releasing its Action Plan on changes to Island's planning policies.
It sets out not only how the concerns raised by the public and politicians will be addressed but it also contains innovative ways to empower the community in the process. All of which is designed in a way that is proportionate and cost-effective.
The Action Plan lays out a clear direction for addressing a wide range of issues including:
- The development of brownfield vs greenfield sites
- Affordable housing
- Infrastructure
- Important Open Land
The D&PA Action Plan also proposes to review the role of Development Frameworks, their usefulness and the evaluating criteria applied to them. At the same time, it confirms that the D&PA are moving forward Development Frameworks for areas clearly targeted for regeneration including Leale's Yard.
The scale and complexity of the Island Development Plan and planning issues more generally mean that communicating to Islanders how they can get the most out of the planning system is another priority. The Action Plan includes proposals for increasing public awareness and engagement through a structured and targeted Communication Plan.
Whilst most of the actions in the Plan are able to be undertaken within current resources this year, the P&R Committee has been advised of the possible need for further resources for 2020. This is particularly in respect of Development Frameworks for Regeneration Areas and the Communication Plan.
Now that the Action Plan, which has been 6 months in the making, has been completed, the D&PA will be considering how best for Members of the Assembly to provide input into this Action Plan in the light of the lodging of the Requete.
In addition to the Action Plan, the D&PA will be lodging an amendment to the P&R Plan - 2018 Review and 2019 Update. As the D&PA is not formally part of the P&R Plan process yet it is a policy-making Committee, the Committee is asking the Assembly to approve its inclusion in the process. This should ensure that now, and in the future, the priorities and resources required to deliver effective planning policies are given due consideration at the appropriate time.
