Comments on: More social housing is needed in rural area, says minister

By: Guern abroad

Guern abroad — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:14:34 +0000

People do not live healthier lifestyles now, we are living longer because medicine means we can.
Look around, apart for the true outdoors person Guernsey is sinking in lard.

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By: islander

islander — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:52:22 +0000

Time to bring in housing liences and work permits for the over populated small island we live in.This causing pressure on having to build affordable houses in the rural areas of our island.

Todays news that the waiting list is over 300 and increasing shows you that States of Guernsey needs to take steps throughout.

With the ever increasing population its putting pressure throughout all departments regarding cost which is uncontrollable.

Lets keep our beautiful rural landscaping beauty except for the derelict glasshouses which is an eyesore for local buildings.

Time for all our deputies to take harsh dicisions before we are hit by a time bomb.

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By: A.J.

A.J. — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:09:59 +0000

(Mark B) ,Just focus on our problem, and leave the rest of the world free to focus on theirs.

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By: Dave haslam

Dave haslam — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:12:50 +0000

There is that nmassive house that inexplicably got planning permission on the resevoir in GY7, lets round that humungous backhanded premesis off with a massive estate!!!

I would LOVE to see the look on the owners face!! Hehehe!

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By: rosie

rosie — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:40:48 +0000

I also don’t like the sound of ‘yet’.

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By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:43:18 +0000

G E P feature 15th Jan. Bas Courtil. Open Market persons living in social housing???

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By: markB

markB — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:25:45 +0000

St Marcouf -I couldn’t agree more…these places will date very quickly.

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By: markB

markB — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:19:53 +0000

AJ…..So what about those local residents that own second homes in France , Spain, Turkey, USA etc etc??… Is it all right for them to own property abroad?.

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By: A.J.

A.J. — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:54:06 +0000

No one who is not a permanent resident here, should be allowed to own, build, alter, or develop any house on this island ( other than Open Market properties ) Nor should they be able to buy land. It may surprise some,but the vast majority of us, do not want this Beautiful island of ours, turned into another Monaco.

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By: Spartacus

Spartacus — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:33:42 +0000

Dave Jones

I’m not convinced that the increase in the provision of social housing is the answer to poverty, but I appreciate your responses it is very interesting to discuss this with you.

I also don’t like the sound of “yet”!

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By: St Marcouf

St Marcouf — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:47:15 +0000

There is no way that social housing should be built in rural areas if it looks anything like the housing in the picture.

There is absolutely no excuse for these sorts of buildings to be so ugly and modelled on UK sink estates, and then to make matters worse, painted in gruesome colours which stick out like a sore thumb. It shows a complete lack of imagination and foresight.

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By: Dave Jones

Dave Jones — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:58:52 +0000

The increase in the provision of social Housing is likly to force rents in the private sector down, which I see as a good thing.

Also we have not moved off brown field sites to date, with the exception of Clos Barbier, and there are still several brown field sites in States ownership that miight be suitable for Housing projects. so we are a long way from building on the green space yet.

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By: Guernsey121

Guernsey121 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:16:27 +0000

Whilst Mr Jones speaks a lot of sense, I cannot agree that the problems created by the “By to Let” market can be ignored.

Back in March last year, we were all, temporarily, worried about Guernsey’s time bomb.

http://guernsey1-2-1.blogspot.com/2012/03/guernseys-time-bomb.html

Nothing has changed, and I still think that only something as radical as option 4 will stop the problems we continue to have over affordable housing.

Sadly, my cynicism hasn’t changed either just yet, but I continue to live in hope.

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By: Spartacus

Spartacus — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:08:37 +0000

Dave Jones

If Guernsey’s population is growing then social housing should grow in proportion but if social housing is growing due to increased poverty then that must be addressed rather than building proportionally more homes for the new poor.

Your comment about turnover makes sense but if demand in the private sector decreases due to expansion of social housing and contraction of the economy, then what?

I am realistic about population growth and don’t have a problem with that but unless we start to build upwards instead of concreting over green space we will be increasingly urban, is that the intention? I’m not saying we should have skyscrapers but even 3 stories instead of 2 would be more sustainable.

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By: Dave Jones

Dave Jones — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:07:03 +0000

Spartacus

How on earth can it remain static?

For example, we have people living twenty years longer than they once did, people live healthier life styles now and older islanders will remain in social housing for many years longer than they once did.
The turnover in properties is therefore less frequent in that regard. We also have many applying for social housing as the economy contracts and people’s ability to earn more is limited, together with the number of well paid jobs that are available which allow people to rent or buy privately.
As for the population remaining static ( we wish ) but perhaps you can tell me how that would be achieved without interfering severely in peoples right to form relationships and have children if they choose, or return to the island if the choose to do so.

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