THE future of Guernsey’s eastern seaboard under the ‘Little Venice’ proposals is in the hands of islanders. Politicians now want to hear people’s views on the development, which could lead to an integrated sewage and waste plant, a five-star hotel and shops on North Beach, thousands of underground parking spaces and expanded marina facilities.

Housing minister Dave Jones said his interests were in conserving Guernsey’s environment, not turning it into Hong Kong or a Monte Carlo seafront.

‘But at the same time I recognise that’s only my point of view,’ he said yesterday.

‘We’re very much in the hands of the public when huge development proposals come forward.

‘Politicians are the servants of the people, not the masters.

‘If the public show overwhelmingly that this kind of modern development is what they want for Guernsey, the deputies in many ways have a duty to support the people that they purport to represent.’

Long Port Group chairman Charles Billson has also suggested turning Belle Greve Bay into a series of islands with housing, lagoons and moorings.

A consultative group led by Deputy Stuart Falla is carrying out a review of the east coast and Deputy Jones feels the timing of the proposals is unhelpful.

The Long Port scheme would include a £10m. cross-subsidy for a waste-treatment works.

‘At first glance, there are some items that look superficially attractive and I think the timing is interesting, given the long running debate on our waste-management process – it does seem to be the man with the white charger,’ said Deputy Jones.

But he had concerns about developing 500 houses, believing that could attract 2,000 extra people, which the schools and medical infrastructure would not cope with.

‘Many of these properties are going to be targeted at the very wealthy – that’s something the Guernsey people have to think about.’

Policy Council strategic land planning group chairman Lyndon Trott said talks of a partnership with any particular developer at this stage were highly premature.

* Are the ‘Little Venice’ proposals worthy of further consideration?

Further details of the scheme – and a chance to vote on the ideas – are available online here