Wednesday 02 October 2019
Two Development Frameworks have been approved by the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA), for sites at the Former Education Offices, Grange Road, St Peter Port (DF/2017/2193) and at Quantock Cottage, Sandy Lane, L'Islet (DF/2018/0922).
The Development Frameworks provide planning guidance on how these sites might be developed by setting out how policies in the Island Development Plan will be applied.
Former Education Offices - The former Education Offices site is allocated for housing in the Island Development Plan (2016).
Six consultation responses were received during the four-week public consultation period on the draft Development Framework. The consultation responses were largely in support of the draft Development Framework, however there were requests for minor changes relating to issues including the public realm, access to the neighbouring car park, level of protection to the existing trees, development of the northern portion of the site, biodiversity and the recording of non-protected structures on site prior to demolition.
Additionally, during the course of the preparation of the draft Development Framework, the trees at the entrance to the site on Grange Road were assessed for their importance and subsequently the D&PA has issued a Group Tree Protection Order to cover the cluster of 6 stem Sycamore Trees and the Copper Beech tree, all at the north of the Education Offices site.
As a result of the consultation responses and the change in status of the trees on site, a number of amendments were made to the draft Development Framework, including:
- Recognition of the historic interest of the militia hut;
- Inclusion of references to the Tree Protection Orders on site; and
- Amendments relating to the biodiversity of the site.
The number of residential units on site will be influenced by the requirement to preserve the special interest of the Protected Building as well as taking into account other constraints such as the Protected Trees and character of the Conservation Area.
Quantock Cottage, Sandy Lane, L'Islet
The approved Development Framework relates to a potential residential development at Quantock Cottage, Sandy Hook in St. Sampson. The site is within the L'Islet Local Centre where residential development is supported in principle. There is a Protected Monument (a dolmen) adjacent to the site.
The draft Development Framework was subject of a six week public consultation period and 11 letters or emails of comment were received from the public. There was also consultation with several States' bodies/public agencies and the Constables of St Sampson. The public representations received during the consultation period principally related to:
- Housing density
- Demolition of the existing dwelling, Quantock Cottage
- Traffic and highway issues
- Effect on the Protected Monument
- Effect on neighbour amenity
- Inaccuracies in the draft Development Framework
All of the matters raised were fully considered by the Authority and a number of amendments were made to the draft Development Framework as a result of the consultation responses, including:
- Omission of the buffer zone to the Protected Monument from the housing density calculations, resulting in a reduced approximate housing yield for the site. It is therefore anticipated that the site would be able to accommodate approximately 5 - 7 dwellings, at a density range of 20 - 30 dwellings per hectare, taking into account the buffer zone to the Protected Monument, and depending on the detailed design of any proposal
- Omission of reference to the possibility of using the buffer zone for external amenity space associated with the buildings, to further protect the setting of the monument
- A requirement to use granite from the existing cottage and roadside wall in the design of the new development, if practicable
- Amendments relating to landscaping and biodiversity, potentially contaminated land, and to correct minor inaccuracies in the draft Development Framework.
The Planning Service would like to thank all respondents for their interest and engagement in the preparation of these Development Frameworks. The Development Frameworks can be accessed via the States of Guernsey website at https://www.gov.gg/developmentframeworks or copies are available to view at the Planning Service Reception at Sir Charles Frossard House, La Charroterie, St Peter Port.
