IN PUBLISHING the guiding principles for the development of a proposed population management regime, the Policy Council has gone as far as it can – without actually committing the States – to allaying any fears about the future of the open market sector.

A STATEMENT that the open market will remain part of Guernsey’s future population management scheme will go some way to restoring confidence in the sector, according to estate agents.

THE open market will be a part of any future regime to manage Guernsey’s population, according to the Policy Council.

RATHER like a naughty child, the open market issue refuses to be put to bed.

ESTATE agents are ramping up the pressure on the States to clarify the future of the open market, after the Housing minister said that population policy legislation could be four years away.

AN ENTREPRENEUR is considering giving up a £100,000 deposit on a Guernsey house because of uncertainty over what will happen to the open market.

REPRESENTATIVES from three estate agents met members of the Population Policy Group yesterday to discuss the wide-ranging review of how to manage the island’s growing population.

BRINGING the open market into doubt will have a negative impact on the future of the island’s economy, a Commerce and Employment board member has said.

A PUBLIC consultation document on population policy will not contain any recommendation to scrap the open market, the chief minister confirmed yesterday.

PEOPLE seeking to buy in the open market have been warned by the States that they face a radical shake-up of the housing laws.