The existing Island Plan, which lays out the blueprint for future housing and planning needs, is due to expire next year.
Environment Minister John Young has begun consultations on what the 2021 document will include and while he had initially considered delaying the debate until 2022, he has now ruled that out.
Deputy Young said: ‘As with many aspects of government business, the Island Plan Review has been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and cannot now be delivered based on the previously scheduled programme, scope of the review, and the planned extent of public engagement and consultation.
‘This is because of the logistical problems, diversion of resources and the huge uncertainty of future government policy required by our post-Covid recovery.
‘With the advice of our external planning partners Arup and officers of the Strategic Policy team, I have considered the options to respond to the situation. This has included the potential deferral of the review until the next parliamentary term of office.
‘However, preliminary discussions with my ministerial colleagues have rejected this possibility and I have been requested to further consider an Island Plan being lodged and debated in time for the May 2022 elections.’
The minister also said there may be changes to the process of the review and adoption, as well as reducing the scope of the plan because the situation is too uncertain for reliable forecasts and long-term planning to be undertaken.
He added: ‘Our external advisers consider it will be very challenging to meet the shortened timescale.
‘Early stakeholder engagement will be significantly reduced. However, it may be possible to hold virtual events with their assistance and, whilst not ideal, the extended 12-week lodging period would run in parallel with wider public consultation; a full examination in public would follow to consider public and States Members’ views.
‘Detailed timescales can be set out in an amended Island Plan programme shortly. These changes will require a wider political discussion before they are adopted.
‘It remains my intention to hold in-committee States debate as soon as possible in order that elected members can contribute their views.’
