A THIRD-PARTY planning appeal against the building of 128 homes on three rezoned fields in St Peter has been dismissed by Environment Minister Steve Luce, two days after he lost his seat in Sunday’s election.
In a ministerial order signed on Tuesday, now-Mr Luce followed the recommendation of an independent inspector that the appeal by residents in the area be rejected.
Clive Doyle, on behalf of The Yews Housing Association and three homeowners on Rue des Sapins, and Sarah Parish challenged the decision to allow the large affordable homes scheme in the heart of the parish to go ahead.
The site, which covers the fields directly opposite the Sir George Carteret pub, stretching north to the other side of Verte Rue behind Clos Le Ruez, was rezoned in the 2022 Bridging Island Plan for affordable homes and received planning permission last July.
The main grounds of appeal, identified by independent planning inspector Sue Bell, included the effect of the scheme on neighbouring properties, the ‘sufficiency and accuracy’ of reporting of community participation in the development of plans; and the impact on traffic, road safety and listed buildings in the area.
However, after hearing submissions from the applicants and the government, Mrs Bell concluded: “The proposals are for affordable housing on a site allocated specifically for that purpose through policy H5 [which refers to the provision of affordable homes] of the Bridging Island Plan.
“The proposals have been developed in accord with the development brief for that site, including the proposed density of development and affordable housing mix. The proposals provide for adequate parking, open space, internal living space, percentage for art and are of a good quality design.”
She added: “The layout allows for connectivity and movement through the site, including provision for walking and cycling. Provision to improve public transport is also included. The scheme has taken account of and incorporate mitigation measures to reduce effects on landscape and ecological features.
“Effects on neighbouring amenity have been considered as part of scheme design.
Whilst some effects will arise, for the reasons set out above they are not considered to be unreasonable […]
Effects on listed buildings have been considered. Effects on setting have been reduced as far as possible. No significant effects on the setting of The Yews have been identified.
“A public engagement exercise has been undertaken and a community participation statement produced. While I find that additional efforts could have been made to engage with those directly affected by the proposals, I conclude that the consultation was sufficient to satisfy policy requirements.”
The extra homes, along with other development in the west, have prompted a major infrastructure upgrade in the area which necessitated the main road being closed for six months for drains to be upgraded and a large tank to be sunk into a field by the Airport for waste water to be stored before processing.
Just one of the fields being developed – P632, which is closest to the main road – was originally proposed for affordable homes in the first draft of the Bridging Island Plan, with the others either added during the plan’s review process or by amendments successfully proposed by States Members during the 2022 debate.
