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St. Peter parishioners are being asked to cast their vote on the best site for dozens of affordable homes to help islanders onto the housing ladder after previous plans were kicked out.
After years of development by the Parish's previous Constable, John Refault, Andium Homes' plans to build 65 three-bedroom houses on two fields opposite the Sir George de Carteret pub were booted over fears they would harm the Green Zone.
The Environment Minister, who rejected the scheme, also said that more work needed to be done "to establish a clear and detailed understanding of the Island’s affordable housing needs".
Many prospective first-time buyers were said to be "crushed" to hear the news, leading some - including the former Constable, and the present one - to push for the Ville du Manoir proposals to return.
Pictured: The proposed location for the 65 homes is located opposite the Sir George Carteret pub.
This week, those who had applied to buy one of the homes received a letter with a glimmer of hope.
Describing the planning permission refusal as a "bitter blow after a long and comprehensive consultation and planning process", current St. Peter Constable Richard Vibert wrote to suggest a public meeting on the matter.
With the Objective Assessment of Housing Needs Report having recently stated that 7,000 extra households will be needed by 2030 if current migration trends continue, Constable Vibert said this confirmed the island's "dire need of new homes and in particular homes which are affordable for people like yourself, who just want to buy a home in which to raise a family".
He said that since the election he has taken "considerable time" to review the Ville du Manoir proposals, which he fully supports and wants to see developed "as soon as possible".
Pictured: St. Peter Constable, Richard Vibert, said he fully supports the scheme.
He has therefore published a proposition to ask for the Ville du Manoir site to be rezoned under the Island Plan. This would allow Andium Homes to submit their application again and start the process of making housing on this site "a reality," giving 65 families the chance to own a home in St Peter, the Constable said.
However, Constable Vibert explained that he will not go ahead with this proposition if it turns out parishioners do not want the site to be developed. He said that some have raised concerns about the proposals and said that the site was not the right place for a new affordable first-time buyer development.
To ensure that his proposition reflects "the up to date views of parishioners" about whether or not they want to see Ville du Manoir developed, Constable Vibert has called a Parish Assembly to give parishioners the opportunity to vote on the project.
The Assembly will take place at the St. Peter Youth and Community Centre on 14 March, at 19:30. Only registered voters in St. Peter will be allowed to vote on the night, but others can attend.
Pictured: The Parish Assembly will take place at the St. Peter Youth and Community Centre.
"If the Assembly votes (for what will be the third time) to support the project then I will go ahead with my rezoning proposition," the Constable wrote.
"However, if the Assembly votes not to proceed then the proposition will be withdrawn and that will be the end of the dream of an affordable home in the Parish for you and the other applicants. It goes without saying that every vote at the Assembly counts.
He added: "I implore you all to do your utmost to be present to hear the arguments, to stand up and make your views heard and that you encourage family and friends to also come along and support you."
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