Thursday 13 April 2017
Taking on the role of lay member for the Planning Panel is an excellent way of doing something positive for Guernsey, its chairman has said as it begins advertising for new members.
Lay tribunal members provide valuable knowledge and experience to help ensure decisions are fair, balanced and well informed. A lay member's role includes doing preparatory work in advance of hearings by reading the papers provided, asking questions of the parties and any expert witnesses during the hearing, and taking an active part in the deliberations and decision-making.
David Harry, Chairman of the Planning Panel, said:
'I have been a member of the Planning Panel since April 2009. I was initially appointed as a "reserve member" which meant I didn't sit to hear planning appeals, but attended training and so was able to get a good understanding of the role.
'I was appointed as a full member in 2012 and since then I have sat of a large number of planning appeals. Each one is different and requires careful consideration of all the facts of the case and how the planning law and policies apply.
'My professional career has been as a lawyer specialising in property matters and so I was understandably drawn to this role. It is also an excellent way of doing something positive for Guernsey.'
The Land Planning Development (Guernsey) Law, 2005 established the Planning Panel and Tribunal. The Tribunal was established to consider appeals from property owners against planning decisions made by the Development & Planning Authority (including the refusal of planning permission, the issuing of a Compliance or Completion Notice, the addition of a building or monument to the List of Protected Buildings and Monuments and the protection of a tree under a Tree Protection Order).
A planning appeal is considered by a tribunal of three people, and is chaired by a professional member who is an experienced planner.
No previous experience is required and Guernsey-based training will be provided.
Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Elizabeth Dene, Secretary to the Planning Panel, on 717284 or via email: planningpanel@gov.gg.
The Deadline for applications is 4pm on Friday 28th April 2017.
