Proposed changes to the C-Permit system have been criticised by a local estate agent.
The Building and Development Control Committee is planning to introduce a system which will allow islanders to build on two occasions but only sell the properties to people who also meet the C-Permit regulations.
Francis Simonet, proprietor of Alderney Estate Agency, described the idea as "hare brained" and said it would create a two-tier housing scheme in the island.
BDCC chairman Liz Bennett outlined the scheme during September's States meeting.
She said: "The BDCC has been reviewing several areas of policy during the year, including C-Permits. The committee wishes to favour building for suitably qualified, locally resident people rather than promoting exemption ordinances for property developers. The latter have not, despite their best intentions, delivered affordable housing for local people for any length of time."
Mrs Bennett said C-Permits will be renamed "permits under section 33 (1) of the BDCC law" and said those who apply must still be over 18 years of age and have lived in the island for an aggregate of 16 years in any 20-year period. Applicants must also be ordinarily resident in Alderney.
She added: "In future any dwelling built under section 33 (1) must always be owned by a person who is similarly qualified. This is to avoid an increase in homes being speculatively built and sold to second home owners.
"It is intended that a person qualified to build under section 33 (1) will be able to build on two occasions and to own no more than two such properties.
"The committee also hopes that this will discourage the building of large, more profitable dwellings which tends to occur when everyone gets only one opportunity to build. With two such opportunities smaller properties will be feasible and, hopefully, remain in the price range of suitably qualified people.
"The committee also hopes that this will encourage applications for locally resident people to build, so stimulating the building trade in these difficult times."
Mr Simonet rejected Mrs Bennett's proposal.
He said: "It's another hare brained scheme to create a two-tier housing market in Alderney that has not been thought through properly.
"Alderney is not large enough to sustain a two-tier housing scheme. There would not be enough buyers to keep the market fluid."
Mr Simonet believes the scheme could cost house builders dearly.
"The purchase price would be dictated by the eventual buyers, which could lead to substantial losses for the people who built the properties."
The States' Law Officers are due to draft the new legislation imminently. Any changes to the C-Permit system will require the backing of the full States.
5 comments on this article
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Christian | Wed 20th January 2010 Hmm...Not particularly enticing news. As another 'islander' from far away Tasmania who is considering emigrating to Alderney, the prospect of a 2 tier system is off-putting. As professionals planning for a move to Europe (or thereabouts), Alderney has a lot of appeal to us - English, friendly, strong community, lower tax, and proximity. But going down the Jersey & Guernsey road only undermines Alderney's beautiful point of difference (at least to us).
Being an outsider with no local experience, my opinion my be worth tuppence, but I would strongly suggest the community's leaders maintain the latitude to make decisions based on a case by case basis (i.e. considering the Island's needs, rather than a blanket policy tied purely to economics). I believe that even in this context you should celebrate your uniqueness.
With warm wishes from the Southern Hemisphere, Christian (Hobart, Tasmania)
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Christian | Wed 20th January 2010 Hmm...Not particularly enticing news. As another 'islander' from far away Tasmania who is considering emigrating to Alderney, the prospect of a 2 tier system is off-putting. As professionals planning for a move to Europe (or thereabouts), Alderney has a lot of appeal to us - English, friendly, strong community, lower tax, and proximity. But going down the Jersey & Guernsey road only undermines Alderney's beautiful point of difference (at least to us).
Being an outsider with no local experience, my opinion my be worth tuppence, but I would strongly suggest the community's leaders maintain the latitude to make decisions based on a case by case basis (i.e. considering the Island's needs, rather than a blanket policy tied purely to economics). I believe that even in this context you should celebrate your uniqueness.
With warm wishes from the Southern Hemisphere, Christian (Hobart, Tasmania)
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Andy | Wed 16th December 2009 Does C stand for Crazy?
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Icey | Thu 5th November 2009 I refer to current planning applications in ‘The Journal’ and will keep it brief. Ref no B2972. Blue Horizon Ltd. 4 Houses & 9 apartments to rent. 7 houses & 16 apartments for sale. Is this another Penguin site? That seems like 36 building permits to me, no? Ref B2968. Demolish existing property and rebuild new house. I hope that this house needs rebuilding identically the same as what is there due to being structurally unsafe. If not, is that not just a way of manipulating the system to have a brand new build for the wealthy? The ‘C’ Permit system is still being manipulated & here we are trying to move the goal posts again. Let’s fix the problems that still affect Alderney. 2 building permits per person is still in my opinion a “JOKE”.
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The Journal believes this is an opportune moment to conduct a survey of the States. The aim is to help the States, its members and those who are considering standing for election. Click here to vote!
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
Sat 11th September 2010 Methodist Church Restoration Fund Jumble Sale, Island Hall, 14:00
Sat 11th September 2010 Myths and Stories from Ancient Egypt
An evening of fascinating stories told by international master performance storyteller Dr. Samira Kirollos, brought to you by the Alderney Theatre Group.
Sit back, watch, listen and be spellbound.
tickets £10 on sale at Shirley's Boutique and on the night at the door, Island Hall, 19:30 to 23:00
The Journal's first States Survey
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 