Tuesday 21 April 2020
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) has reconsidered the work it was proposing to undertake on the Five Year Review of the Island Development Plan (IDP).
Whilst the true effects of the pandemic are still unknown, it is clear that this will require the refocusing of States' priorities and policies across Government to ensure that they are aligned with the recovery strategy and do not hinder achievement of its aims. With this in mind, the D&PA has decided to recommend pausing the review of the IDP until those recovery strategies are known.
Land use planning is likely to play a key role in Guernsey's economic and social recovery and, by ensuring that land use policies are aligned to new strategic priorities of the States, it will result in a more targeted use of States' funds.
By postponing the Five Year Review, the impact of the pandemic can be properly understood. The relevant evidence can be collected resulting in more robust and effective planning policies that can assist with the recovery. The D&PA feel that this would achieve more to help Guernsey than would be the case if the Five Year Review were undertaken as previously planned.
For these reasons, the D&PA believe that work for the Five Year Review should instead take place when the conditions are right and once the strategic direction of the States is clear.
President of the Development & Planning Authority, Deputy Tindall said:
"It is with regret that the D&PA are recommending the pausing of the Five Year Review but I wish to make it clear that, whilst we believe that this is in the best interests of the community at this difficult time, all the feedback we have had and the promises made as to the content of the review of the IDP will not be lost. It is just being rescheduled to a time when it can do the most good in helping reinvigorate Guernsey's economy."