Celebrating small scale activities and informal uses
- There are a broad range of smaller scale and informal uses that take place in both HAAs and it is important to plan and make space for these uses as well as the more formalised activities and uses. Smaller scale uses include: dinghy sailing, fishing, swimming, diving, walking, dog-walking and pétanque as well as stalls, kiosks and informal activities focussed on visitors.
- Other uses that seem to really work include the Bathing Pools in Havelet Bay which make great use of the less intensively used parts of the HAA and bring people along La Vallette to the south.
The Local Planning Brief will:
- Support change that encourages a diversity of uses and users across the harbours, and that allows for smaller scale and informal activities to continue and to thrive
- Encourage water-related activities and opportunities that allow people to get on the water and to continue to value it as an important resource
Maintaining and diversifying marine-related industry
- The marine leisure industry makes a vibrant impact in St Peter Port, not just in economic terms, but also with regard to its aesthetics, and indeed the persona of the island.
- The LPB foresees the continued growth of this industry, notably with the expansion of Pool Marina, and the need to safeguard the vital marine leisure supply chain and give it room to breathe so that it can continue to sustain boating activity. Key decisions need to be made about the landing point for a Pool Marina and vital land-side facilities for existing
- St Sampson also plays a key role in the marine leisure supply chain. This will be safeguarded with scope for enhancement.
- Commercial port facilities in St Sampson service imports of bulk liquid fuel of various types, and commodities such as aggregates and timber for construction. The island cannot live without these, and the LPB therefore safeguards them.
- Operations related to bulk liquid fuels require hazard safety zones which prevent other uses nearby e.g. housing. The Local Planning Brief foresees that a time may come when import of fuel by sea is no longer required, and/or could be consolidated at Longue Hougue. This would open up many opportunities for exciting repurposing of land and would offer potential for private sector investment and attendant economic growth.
The Local Planning Brief will:
- Safeguard marine related industry and support expansion in a way that is compatible with the positive character of the harbours
- Encourage consolidation and potential relocation of “bad neighbour” uses e.g. fuel storage to less intensive and people focussed areas
Visitor experience and tourism
- There is a need to focus on making the harbours a place that people continue to want to go and spend time (and money in local businesses). This includes creating opportunities for visitor attractions - especially activities that work well in poor weather and for all age groups (including children).
- A wayfinding strategy is needed that links the visitor destinations in and around Town and the island more generally. As a visitor, it is not currently very easy to find everything you might need.
- An updated plan is needed for cruise ships and other water-based uses so they work better.
The Local Planning Brief will:
- Support activities and uses that provide visitor destinations and opportunities, including year round, and for younger visitors (and residents)
- Support measures to improve signage, wayfinding and consistent information sharing about what is going on in the harbours and what is nearby
- Support a tourism strategy that proposes a robust approach for how cruise ship passengers arrive in Town and make the most of their visit
Protecting the port and making space for change
- In the event that the port operations are not relocated from St Peter Port, the LPB protects the port operations to ensure that importing goods and getting passengers onto the island can be maintained. The LPB will safeguard approximately 5,000 sq.m as contingency for port expansion over the next 10 years. However, if the commercial and/or passenger port operation does relocate, then the plan foresees a wholesale and imaginative repurposing of the core commercial port area and wider harbours, and delivery of new homes and employment space.
- St Sampson could focus on expanding its leisure offering and rationalising some industrial uses to Longue Hougue, thereby opening up the marina for other uses including restaurants.
- There is an undersupply of new housing to meet the island’s housing needs, and affordable housing delivery is a priority. However, without a number of strategic decisions being made, the HAAs are not likely to be suitable for new homes.
- It will be important to consolidate Longue Hougue as a key employment location and to ensure that marine-related businesses have appropriate locations for their activities (in both St Peter Port and St Sampson).
- This will mean that the scarce land resource will need to be fully utilised through appropriate mix and density – including commercial uses.
The Local Planning Brief will:
- Safeguard land for potential expansion or reorganisation of port operations if and when needed
- Propose consolidated industrial and marine uses at Longue Hougue
- Set out proposals for any freed up land to be well used for employment and residential uses to help pay for other improvements