Guernsey's land use policies could be reviewed

The policy which underpins how land can be used in Guernsey could be reviewed next year by the government.

Following questions from deputy John Gollop, Environment and Infrastructure President Adrian Gabriel announced his committee would consider a review of the Strategic Land Use Plan (SLUP) in 2027.

But he added the current plan, which was approved in 2011, has a lifespan of 20 years and there was "no statutory requirement to review it before that time".

However, Gabriel said if the evidence suggested a review was needed sooner, he would look at launching one next year.

Currently, the Island Development Plan - which manages where development can happen in Guernsey - is subject to a review.

A planning inquiry has recently finished and before the end of the year, the independent planning inspector is set to submit a report to the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) with recommendations before deputies have their final say on changes to local planning policies and zoning.

Several deputies criticised the current SLUP as they believed it was outdated, restrictive, slow‑moving and mismatched to today's housing, environmental and agricultural needs.

Gabriel pushed back on calls to review the plan this year from Gollop, but other politicians questioned whether a review which started next year would leave enough time to complete the work before the end of the political term in 2029.

Gabriel defended the current plan after it was criticised by Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee member deputy Steve Falla, who said it acted as an "overly descriptive straitjacket" for development.

Much of the pressure to make changes to SLUP came from deputies who want to have derelict greenhouse sites used for housing in the future.

The current plan restricts development on these sites which are not in local centres.

The debate also raised concerns about contaminated land stopping development - which is often caused by glass from old greenhouses in Guernsey.

Gabriel said officials at environmental health were currently looking at a solution to the issue.

P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez suggested that a register of contaminated land could be created to help with the problem.

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