Victoria Oliver

As the Bailiwick looks to ‘build back better’ and restore an economy depleted by the pandemic, it’s clear that in order to facilitate the recovery government has some tough choices ahead and bold decisions will need to be made.

At the end of January, the Planning and Development Authority (D&PA) appeared to take that message and run with it, announcing a raft of proposals aimed at speeding up the process for planning applications - reducing it by half in some cases - cutting red tape, exempting more types of projects from the planning applications list and doing something to tackle the number of unsightly abandoned buildings that have lain derelict for years.

Deputy Victoria Oliver, president of the Planning and Development Authority, told us more about her ambitious plans.

It’s no secret that attaining planning permission in the Bailiwick can be perceived as something of a rigmarole. That’s something Deputy Oliver is keen to change.

“I want to make D&PA a facilitator,” she says.

Deputy Oliver’s keen to bring her considerable experience to creating an environment where homeowners can get on and make the improvements they want and where commercial projects aren’t tied up for weeks or months waiting for approval. She hopes it will create a smoother process

for all concerned and provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the construction industry.

She has a solid background in property management and lease consultancy and previously worked at Savills and GVA. She also sat on the previous D&PA and is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. So it’s fair to say she has a good idea of what industry wants from government when it comes to the planning and development process.

“After the last term [of the States], I realised that the D&PA could be so much more than it was. No criticism to my predecessors, they did what they thought was best, but I thought that we can take it in a different direction.

“A lot of things within the States, such as the Seafront Enhancement Area, Leale’s Yard, Town regeneration, it all stops with the D&PA. It’s seen as a thing to get through and I thought we could grab it by the horns and change parts to improve.

“If we can make it a real facilitator, so people can come to us from the beginning and ask how can we do this, talk us through what they want, then it’s a lot easier to make changes at the development framework stage rather than when you’ve got the planning application.

“So I thought if we can actually get people much more interested in the D&PA and make it a little bit more exciting, then I think that’ll be better for the community of Guernsey.”

One of the key things the D&PA wants to do is increase the list of exemptions, with almost 100 suggested changes and additions. It’s one area that’s bound to be well received by householders and commercial project managers.

SO I THOUGHT IF WE CAN ACTUALLY GET PEOPLE MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN THE DPA AND MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE EXCITING, THEN I THINK THAT’LL BE BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY OF GUERNSEY.

“The exemptions proposals are what I’m most excited about, it’s things like external insulated render, erection of a freestanding garage or other outbuilding under a certain floor area, satellite dishes will no longer need planning permission, doors and windows in older non-listed buildings will not be required to use the same building materials. An extension of a dwelling up to a larger floor area will also no longer need planning permission, or dormers not facing the road in a nonprotected building. It’s common sense things like that and we’re putting out our suggestions to consultation very shortly.” While there’s a big freeing up on certain current restrictions, Deputy Oliver says D&PA has already consulted with Guernsey Water and will be looking to tighten up some measures.

“The only one that I would say is likely to become a little bit more strict is driveways and hard surfacing. That’s because of surface water run-off and the risk of flooding. Guernsey just can’t cope with the amount of hard surfacing area so we’re saying if you put your bricks down make sure it’s just sand rather than concrete to allow the water to run through the surface, which will make a big difference.” THERE’S NO DOUBT THE PROPOSALS ARE VERY FORWARDLOOKING AND AS WITH ANYTHING THAT’S PERCEIVED AS A BIT RADICAL, THERE’S USUALLY SOME KIND OF PUSHBACK OR OPPOSITION. And in a move that will please environmentalists, she’s also looking to help biodiversity.

“We’d really like to stop people using artificial grass.”

Reducing the length of time it takes for applications to work their way through the planning process is another area Deputy Oliver is keen to tackle.

“The D&PA’s work with Agilisys on digitising the application process is really going to change things a lot because you can actually view plans online. It will also include a fee calculator to help people pay

the right amount first time, which is a great step and I’m really pleased about that.

“We will still have a facility for people that really need to go and see plans. But there’s a computer set up in Frossard House for that very purpose. So you can be at home or wherever you want and be able to see planning applications.”

The D&PA wants to enable plans to be submitted online and for any applicable fees to be payable that way as well, moving away from the paper-based cheque system.

There’s no doubt the proposals are very forward-looking and, as with anything that’s perceived as a bit radical, there’s usually some kind of pushback or opposition to be expected.

However, Deputy Oliver is optimistic that they’ll be well received by homeowners who don’t want to wade through reams of paperwork simply to do a small project on their home, and by industry as well. She’s also keen to emphasise that there are still checks and balances within the proposed new system.

“I’ve spoken with a lot of architects and so far, all the changes that I’m pushing for, they are saying it’s music to their ears. So, I don’t think I’m going to get any pushback from industry. I think we’ve been quite sensible.

“Everything has got to be proportionate as well so you can’t add three conservatories on the back or anything like that, it is only one. And if it’s over a certain size it then needs to go to Planning anyway. Also, although you’re cutting the planning out for some work, you still need Building Control on many things.”

Another important area Deputy Oliver is keen that the D&PA tackles is to use Section 46 of the Land Planning Law, which deals with abandoned buildings and eyesore sites.

“Guernsey is so beautiful but there are always places where you would just love to sort it out but there’s no law or power to do it. So WHEN YOU’VE GOT A WHOLE ROW OF BEAUTIFUL SHOPS AND STREETS AND OFFICES AND CAFES, IT WILL HELP CREATE AN EVEN BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR LIVING, WORKING AND DOING BUSINESS RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF OUR TOWN a new Ordinance under Section 46 should be able to help with that.”

All being well, the D&PA should have the Development Framework for St Peter Port Regeneration Areas agreed and in place by the summer. These will create a framework for redevelopment and revitalisation of areas of Town such as Mill Street and Le Bordage.

“It should really incentivise people to do something. I think you’ll find that once one development is done, it should have a snowball effect. I have also spoken with Deputy Ferbrache about compulsory purchase for some sites that are a real eyesore and that the owners won’t do anything with. “When you’ve got a whole row of beautiful shops and streets and offices and cafes, it will help create an even better environment for living, working and doing business right in the centre of our Town.

“With the Regeneration Areas and section 46 we are looking to make a real difference as soon as we can.”