It follows an announcement of the scheme last month by Constable Chris Taylor, who said ‘only an idiot’ would turn the plans down.
According to a planning application, each of the three-bedroom properties would be sold by Andium Homes for around £330,000 and built at no cost to the taxpayer.
Now St John Deputy Trevor Pointon has said that although the inquiry could cause a delay, it was important the planning process was respected.
Asked if he was confident that the planning inspector would recommend that the application be approved, he said: ‘Nothing is certain in this world. If there is to be a planning process and we are doing something outside of the planning rules [the Island Plan] by building on green-zone fields, I think it is right that there is an inquiry. If there is a delay then there is a delay – it is what it is. This has been going on for more than a couple of years so we need to get it right.’
Deputy Pointon added: ‘This would be a huge benefit to the community and it would also provide much-needed housing in the parish.’
The planning inspector presiding over the public inquiry will make a recommendation to the Environment Minister about whether the plans should be approved or refused. The minister then makes the final decision.
