Land Use
The southern end of Town should become more residential as St Peter Port’s shopping area migrates northwards.
This is one of many ideas generated through the involvement of hundreds of islanders in the Guernsey Tomorrow process, which will influence the ongoing review of the States Strategic Land Use Plan.
Feedback has suggested that more new homes should be created in the central and fringe areas of Town and the Bridge. The Town centre could be migrated to the north, with the emphasis in the southern end shifted from shopping to housing.
While most people still like the character of the Town Centre, there are fears that it is losing its unique identity and its vibrancy and becoming ‘Anytown’.
Some people have also said that the Markets have ‘lost their soul’ and criticised the lack of investment in public buildings, roads and pavements.
Other comments received during the Guernsey Tomorrow consultation have:
- proposed more al fresco eating;
- criticised a lack of shopping choice and retail competition and shop opening times
- shown that young people want to see more fast food restaurants and coffee shop chains.
There was also strong support for wanting to maintain the commercial viability of Town and the Bridge as the main shopping centres, and to keep the rural ‘village’ centres as convenience shopping centres.
It has been suggested that St Peter Port should consolidate its role as a centre for specialised shops and as a social leisure destination with increased entertainment provision.
More than 700 people have engaged on wide-ranging issues which are now under three headline topics – places, lifestyle and prosperity – in an exhibition on work so far carried out which will be opened to the public at Checkers and the former Smith Street Post Office over the next few days.
David Twigg, Strategic Planning Officer at the Policy Council and lead officer for Guernsey Tomorrow, said:
‘By involving people in Guernsey Tomorrow the focus has shifted from what and where we build to how we can build better communities, neighbourhoods and workplaces for everyone’s benefit.’
The exhibition starts at Checkers on Wednesday 2 December from 3-6pm, and continues at the same time on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday the displays will be manned by staff from 10am to 7pm.
Next week it moves to Smith Street from 12-3 on Wednesday 9 December and from 12-3 and again from 7-9pm the following day.
