A STATES body has been learning about coastal projects elsewhere as part of research into the long-term future of the island’s east coast. John McCarthy, a reader at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, has studied seaside initiatives in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dundee, and Malta and Guernsey hopes to benefit from his experience.

He said it was about exploring the latent potential of the long-term social, economic and environmental benefits of the waterfront between Havelet and the Vale Castle.

‘It’s not about looking at one thing in isolation and it’s not necessarily about development, but there may be areas where development is part of the mix,’ he said.

He said the amenity that Guernsey currently had on its east coast was high quality and something that needed to be protected.

‘It’s about summarising the lessons of practice elsewhere that could potentially be applied in Guernsey, but I’m not making any specific recommendations.’

Following the review of the machinery of government, the Policy Council established a cross-departmental group to take a strategic overview of planning policy. The Strategic Land Planning Group comprises Deputy Lyndon Trott as chairman and deputies Stuart Falla, Bernard Flouquet, Dave Jones, Peter Sirett and Chris Brock.

The group established a consultative sub-group earlier this year under Deputy Falla’s chairmanship to look at how the island’s east coast, including its harbours, could deliver the most benefits for the people of Guernsey.

The Eastern Seaboard Initiative Group, as it is known, has been looking at coastal projects elsewhere in order to identify possible benefits or pitfalls.

Mr McCarthy was invited to speak as part of the research but he said there was a long way to go yet.

‘I understand that this is only the beginning of something that will involve extensive public consultation before any ideas are put forward.’

Once Esig’s research is finished, it will advise the SLPG of its findings as the starting point for the development of a practical strategy.