There were 355 homes under construction in Guernsey in the final quarter of last year, the highest number for five years and 34 more than the 10-year average.
Last year also saw planning permissions given for the highest number of homes since 2016. Full planning permission was given for 113 additional homes on 33 sites in the final quarter of last year. Most of these approvals were in St Peter Port Main Centre and Local Centres. None were within the Bridge Main Centre.
The largest planning permission granted was at Ruettes Brayes in St Peter Port for 26 homes. Outline planning permission was also granted for 85 homes at the Mallard Complex in the Forest.
These figures have been welcomed by Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Development & Planning Authority, and Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Vice President of the Committee for Housing.
Deputy Inder said: “Active engagement is the new model for the DPA. Bringing confidence back into decision-making will be key to the Authority’s success. That approach is already reaping rewards, and there is more to come.
“The Authority also has other policy development areas that will help smooth the planning process. We are considering fast-tracking some of the larger sites, and the digital programme remains on track to be delivered by the middle of the year.
“In other news – and something Guernsey residents will be pleased to hear – the Authority is developing plans around the concept of multi-generational living. This will look at what can be permitted for homeowners who wish to care for older relatives or accommodate returning family members. A solution will be announced in due course.
“I have a very strong Committee, and all members are driven by a single objective: delivering homes for the people of Guernsey. If we get this right — and I am confident we will – we can deliver many more homes during this term.
“I have said it before and I will say it again: the market is driven by confidence. Build confidence in policy and in people, and you are on the path to delivery.
“These are exciting times, and I would like to thank investors, developers, and the wider island community for helping to keep the economy moving.”
Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said: “It’s been great to see the uptick in the number of homes being built, which is a key objective of the Committee for Housing. While there will be many factors that are leading to this, the Committee has been focused on site-specific work, including engagement with individual key landowners and developers to understand why sites that can provide ten or more homes are not progressing and what government might be able to do to unlock these sites for much needed housing.
“This engagement has been well received and has enabled some sites to move forward. Toward the end of last year, we expanded this to focus on sites that can accommodate between five and ten homes to understand what is stopping development from coming forward.
“It’s really promising to see this progress and we look forward to continuing to work together with the industry to deliver more homes for Guernsey.”
