The Local Planning Brief looks at economic enablers and the future potential of St Sampson's and St Peter Port.

People now have the chance to comment on the Local Planning Brief (LPB) for St Peter Port and St Sampson's harbours.

The draft document has been published by the Development and Planning Authority, following work with the Guernsey Development Agency which was set up by government to oversee the regeneration of the two east coast harbours.

While the LPB does not set out exactly what should be built where, it outlines the guiding principles that should be met for any future planning applications for the area to succeed.

It encompasses six main themes, including ensuring resilient harbours, supporting job and leisure opportunities in the maritime sector, and 'climate resilience', which addresses the future flood risk along the island's east coast.

Deputy Victoria Oliver, President of the Development & Planning Authority, says this a step towards shaping the long-term use of the harbours:

"We have worked with the local community and potential delivery partners to prepare policies that will encourage the right type of development which will drive investment into the east coast and will provide amenities for the benefit of the public and for Guernsey as a whole.

"The Harbour Action Areas are integral to so many aspects of life on Guernsey and it has been important to ensure that the policies proposed in the draft LPB strike the right balance between protecting what makes these areas unique with providing opportunities for investment."

"A lot of the plan is derived from what people thought was missing (in those harbour areas) and ideas that came forward. I think people will be pleasantly surprised to see a lot of their ideas in this framework."

An updated flood risk report has been published along the LPB, highlighting how both harbours could see regular flooding if nothing is done to combat the threat of rising tides, triggered by global warming.

Areas under threat include the whole of the Leale's Yard redevelopment area, the power station and all of St Peter Port's piers.

The report has been shared with Environment and Infrastructure, and the States say flood prevention along the east coast is a key, long term priority.

The plan also considers the future of surface-level parking at the ports, and the possibility of a multi-storey.

"All the plan is saying is that you might want to look at better car parking  - an alternative to the current car parks.  At the moment, the three major areas within the town are car parks so I am sure people think 'actually something better could come of this' - but we will not be reducing the amount of spaces."

Comments on the LPB are invited before 14 October.

The DPA will consider these responses ahead of a further period of consultation between 4 November and 2 December, with a public hearing on the LPB scheduled for 9 December.

The final draft document will then go to the States Assembly for approval in April 2025.