Thursday 08 October 2015
environment response to Guernsey Press media query
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
I wondered if I could ask the department a couple of questions regarding the Island Development Plan and the impact the States decision yesterday to reject new housing targets will have on it?
Given that the States has rejected the new targets and rejected retaining the 300 dwellings a year target, what impact will this have on the Island Development Plan?
What impact will having a new housing needs survey have on the IDP, the planning inquiry and public hearings and its implementation?
Will Environment now have to wait or will it press ahead with the IDP even though the strategic housing target, of which the IDP is based around, could change? Could the department explain is reasoning behind whether it will wait or press ahead?
Environment Department Response:
The Environment Department has carefully considered the recent States Resolutions and has taken legal advice in order to fully understand their potential implications in relation to the draft Island Development Plan.
Having done so, the Department is satisfied that the Strategic Housing Target of 300 units per year remains in place and that the States Resolutions have in no way invalidated the draft Island Development Plan or the current Planning Inquiry process.
Fundamental to this conclusion are the following aspects:-
The target of 300 units per year was initially set by the States in 2002. There have subsequently been a series of States Resolutions approving the target as part of a Strategic Policy document, the latest being the approval of the Strategic Land Use Plan in 2011. The draft Island Development Plan has been prepared in conformity with the Strategic Land Use Plan and been certified as such by the Strategic Land Planning Group.
The recent States Resolutions have not rescinded those previous decisions or set a new Strategic Housing Target to supersede or replace the current target. Rather, they have determined that the next review of the (current) strategic housing target will take place before the Environment Department carries out its five-year review of the Housing Land Supply element of the Island Development Plan (i.e. before 2021).
In light of this position, and having taken legal advice to inform its understanding, the Department is confident that the recent States Resolutions will have no immediate impact on the Island Development Plan, the Planning Inquiry or the Planning Inquiry hearings.
The Strategic Land Use Plan acknowledges that housing need and longer term variables, such as market conditions, may well change over the 10 year validity of the Island Development Plan and recognises the need to keep the number and type of new homes being provided under regular review to manage housing supply in a responsive way. It therefore requires the Island Development Plan, initially, to make provision for a 5 year supply for housing, which at the current target is 1500 units, and to carry out regular research, data collection, monitoring and review, drawing on several monitoring sources which would include the most up to date housing target and Housing Need Study, to fully understand the overall need and composition of new housing. The Island Development Plan has done this and sets out in Part 5 of the draft Plan details of the proposed monitoring approach.
The housing land supply will therefore be monitored over the first 5 years of the Plan to determine what is required for the remaining 5 years. However, although the Island Development Plan has 10 year validity it may be reviewed, in whole or in part, at more frequent intervals if it appears necessary as a result of monitoring and in the event that targets and/or requirements change.
As the existing Housing Supply target has not been rescinded or replaced by the States the Island Development Plan remains relevant. The draft Plan sets out the process for monitoring and the Plan has the flexibility to be reviewed if new information arises over its 10 years validity which will ensure that it remains relevant and responsive. Therefore there is no reason to delay or affect the consideration of the draft Island Development Plan as a result of the recent States Resolutions.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
