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Guernsey residents can speak at open planning meetings following a new initiative from the island's Environment Department.

Anyone wishing to speak out in support of or against a planning application can submit a request before a meeting.

Contributors will be allowed to speak for a maximum of three minutes and must not repeat points made by others.

A spokesman said allowing public speaking would benefit both the department and the island's population.

In 2008 an external review concluded that Guernsey's planning process needed to become more open to the public.