04 April 2018
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, has refused a planning application to build 65 homes on Green Zone land in Peter.
Deputy Luce said his decision was based on careful consideration of the planning inspector’s report and recommendation and considers the current proposal to be contrary to the States approved Island Plan.
The application PP/2017/1444, submitted by Andium Homes, is to build on fields P632 and P559, on land opposite the Sir George Carteret pub on La Route du Manoir, St Peter.
The application was considered fully in a Public Inquiry in March. An independent planning inspector, Nigel McGurk, presided over the public inquiry and submitted a report with a clear recommendation to the Minister. In his report, Mr McGurk said the proposed development should not be permitted due to substantial and significant conflict with the Island Plan and because ‘sufficient justification’ to override the provisions of the Island Plan has not been demonstrated.
Deputy Luce said “I’m grateful to Mr McGurk for holding this inquiry and for his comprehensive report. It is clear that this proposal would result in harm to the protected Green Zone, contrary to the Island Plan, and undermine the Plan’s approach to spatial planning and the strategic delivery of housing. This development would harm the local character and natural environment and result in the loss of agricultural land without sufficient justification. The proposal is also premature, as work by the Strategic Housing Unit (SHU) to establish a clear and detailed understanding of the Island’s affordable housing needs has not yet been completed.”
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