Friday 09 November 2012
Environment Department response to media enquiry from Guernsey Press.
Guernsey Press enquiry:
I was hoping you could help me with a planning response. I am currently doing a story about the former St Martin's Hotel. I have spoken to the owner who said he would ideally would like to knock down the current building and put up a new one, but as it is in the rural area, anything he rebuilds needs to be similar to what is there already. He is now waiting for the land use review to see if this will change how he can made full use of the site.
I was interested in getting a comment from the department about its current policy to new developments in the rural area and how this is being looked at by the review.
Environment Department response:
The current planning policy requirements regarding conversions of existing buildings and subsequent scope to rebuild are clearly set out in Policy RCE14 of the Rural Area Plan (as amended in April 2010).
It is too early in the Plan Review process to speculate as to whether, and if so how, this position might be changed under future policy.
Anyone interested in the progress of the Plan Review can contact the Department on Planreview@gov.gg to be registered on our database for e-mail updates. The next round of public consultation looking at the main issues and options is planned for Spring next year and the Department would encourage as much involvement as possible at this next important stage.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning Control Services
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
