Nine new affordable housing sites recommended
BBCNine new sites could be designated for affordable housing as part of a review of Guernsey's Island Development Plan (IDP).
The plan dictates where things can be built on the island and the general laws around planning in Guernsey.
The recommendations from the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) do not line up with those of the independent planning inspector.
Of the six sites the inspector put forward the DPA has only recommended two - Springhurst House and Sandy Hook - and Whispers Vinery, which the inspector was against suggesting, has been put forward by the DPA.
Despite a direction from the inspector not to designate Vazon as a local centre, the DPA has asked deputies to back its plans.
A local centre is an area identified in the IDP where there is a concentration of community facilities, like schools and shops.
Development is generally viewed more favourably in and around these centres.
The States has designated affordable housing as property that is reserved for certain groups of people who cannot afford to rent or buy property on the private market.
Where are the sites?
- Whispers Vinery, Castel
- Les Caches Farm, St Pierre du Bois
- Regency Vinery, St Martin
- Former Fletcher's Freesias (Route Carré), St Sampson
- School Lane Vinery, St Martin
- Selbourne Vinery, St Peter Port
- Two Acres, Forest
- Springhurst House, Forest
- Land at Sandy Hook, St Sampson
The review of the IDP concluded that there is already enough private-market housing land until 2030.
As part of its policy letter, which will likely be debated before the end of the year, the DPA has recommended keeping a controversial policy called GP11 which required developers to make part of their developments affordable housing.
The last States voted to reduce the rate of contribution to 0% though, so it has effectively been paused, but the DPA wants to keep it as a mechanism to compel people to build affordable housing in the future.
DPA President Neil Inder said: "One of the main reasons we need to conclude this focused review is so that we can introduce new sites that can be developed for affordable housing.
"But it's not just about making sites available and hoping for the best. This time we have a mechanism in place that basically says, 'if you're not developing your site, we're going to look at alternatives'.
"We need to make sure that the sites we allocate for housing, can actually come forward to deliver housing."
The DPA has also put forward plans to review affordable housing allocation with a view to deallocating some sites if they are not being progressed.
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