Friday 30 September 2022
A public consultation has now launched to gather views on the proposed parameters of new al fresco zones and conditions of al fresco permits.
This follows approval by the States for an amendment ordinance to al fresco legislation and aims to improve the al fresco permit process for applicants, making it quicker, easier and less expensive.
The proposed zone areas have been identified based on locations on the public highway that have accommodated al fresco previously or other public areas that could feasibly accommodate al fresco either now or in the future. Details and maps of these proposed zones are available to view and feedback can be submitted at https://gov.gg/alfrescoconsultation, or at Sir Charles Frossard House, St Peter Port.
The consultation period will run for 3 weeks until 24th October.
Once the al fresco zones are agreed, any new applications for al fresco permits within them will be reviewed and decided through delegated authority by Traffic & Highway Services, rather than via the Royal Court.
Any applications for sites on the public highway that sit outside of the al fresco zones would need to go through the existing al fresco 'licence' system via the Royal Court. The parameters of the zones, and the potential for any new zones, will be reviewed from time to time.
Under the current system, all applicants are required to undertake extensive advertising and consultation before appearing in court. Most applicants then also pay for an advocate to represent them. This proposed new permit system intends to streamline the process for applications falling within the designated zones, making it easier, faster and cheaper for the applicant to be granted an al fresco permit. Through streamlining in this way, resources are also saved from the States' perspective.
This public consultation looks to receive feedback on the specific parameters of these al fresco zones and the proposed conditions of the al fresco permit.
Following the conclusion of this consultation, the feedback received will be reviewed and considered by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure.
