Tuesday 04 August 2015
Media Enquiry from Open Lines Column, Guernsey Press:
THE DRAFT ISLAND PLAN does not mention visual aspects or aesthetics of planning decisions.
Guernsey's monstrosities assault the eyes of so many islanders.
The Royal Town Planning Institute paper last year had hard working Jim Rowles c/o Frossard House say nothing about 'looks' - or how a new building might fit into a setting.
The Director of Architecture has managed to leave out of the Draft Island Plan any mention of style, or looks, or character, or quality....
St Peter Port has the awful back end of the Royal Court building as seen from the Grange (alongside St James). Ugly isn't the word. How was it passed after the historic prison was demolished?
How much longer is the demolished Guernsey Brewery site to be left such an eyesore? A 'grand' building should be built worthy of a major entry to St Peter Port. But because a chunk that had no architectural value was listed as 'protected' the same elevation had to be kept. Did nobody think to apply to have the worthless restriction lifted?
A Beauties Committee used to exist. Architects draw up plans as clients request, we know that. But it is the public that has to go past detested buildings year in year out.
For want of a better name, a Quality Committee's opinion would be valuable, especially at exposed sites.
Environment Department Response:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your correspondent's letter.
Contrary to your correspondent's opening statement, the Draft Island Development Plan does contain specific policies on design and appearance (see, in particular, draft Policy GP8: Design).
Your correspondent's reference to 'Guernsey's monstrosities' is not explained or qualified. Clearly, different people will have different attitudes and perceptions towards design, as 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', but overall on an objective assessment against normally applied design principles the quality of design of new developments in Guernsey generally achieves a good and sometimes very high standard. For a small jurisdiction the standard of architecture is particularly impressive, with many award-winning schemes being developed here over the years. Planning policies are designed to promote good design and improvements are sought to poor or mediocre schemes, where it is proportionate to do so.
The Courts development was carried out as States Development at a time when such development did not require planning permission. The former IDC thus had only a limited role in considering the design approach taken by the project Architects. This situation subsequently changed with the bringing into effect of the current Planning Law in 2009.
Planning permission has recently been granted for a smaller revised housing scheme on the Havelet Brewery site and adjoining land. It is understood that works on the site will be re-commenced later this year.
The staff of the Environment Department's Planning Division includes a Chartered Architect. The Department holds a popular and well-respected bi-annual design awards scheme to promote and recognise good design within our community. The Department also works closely with the Guernsey Society of Architects, from whose membership an Architects' Panel is drawn to provide in appropriate circumstances architectural design advice on schemes submitted for planning permission.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 717200
