Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – twenty-seventh amendment Waterworks Valley

STATES OF JERSEY

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – TWENTY-SEVENTH AMENDMENT

WATERWORKS VALLEY

Lodged au Greffe on 12th July 2021 by Deputy K. F. Morel of St. Lawrence

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36 Amd.(27)

ISLAND PLAN 2021: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – TWENTY-SEVENTH AMENDMENT

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After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that, in Policy CI9 – Countryside access and awareness, the following amendments should be made, with the Plan further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent upon their adoption –

1. after the words "Grands Vaux Reservoir", the remaining words should be substituted with "and valley, and Waterworks Valley have been identified on the proposals map as strategic countryside access sites' and proposals that encourage, enable or enhance public access to the countryside here will be supported."; and
2. the Draft Bridging Island Plan Proposals Map Part A – Planning Zones should be amended to reflect the adoption of paragraph (a)."

DEPUTY K. F. MOREL OF ST. LAWRENCE

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to approve, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, as amended by the Covid-19 (Island Plan) (Jersey) Regulations 2021, the draft Island Plan 2022-25, except that, in Policy CI9 – Countryside access and awareness, the following amendments should be made, with the Plan further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent upon their adoption –

1. after the words "Grands Vaux Reservoir", the remaining words should besubstituted with "and valley, and Waterworks Valley have been identified on the proposals map as strategic countryside access sites' and proposals that encourage, enable or enhance public access to the countryside here will besupported."; and
2. the Draft Bridging Island Plan Proposals Map Part A – Planning Zones shouldbe amended to reflect the adoption of paragraph (a).

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P.36/2021 Amd. (27)

REPORT

St Lawrence Valley, or Waterworks Valley as it is more commonly known, is an outstanding area of countryside that runs south from Hamptonne Country Life Museum to the suburban area of Millbrook.

As an inland valley that joins directly with the built-up area to the south, it is particularly important that islanders who live in urban and suburban areas are able to access it easily precisely because it is located so close to such areas.

When islanders do walk the 1.8 miles from Millbrook to Hamptonne, they discover a wonderful range of wildlife including herons, woodland birds, amphibians and a diverse range of woodland.

Importantly, Waterworks Valley has long borne the imprint of development in the island, principally through the reservoirs (Dannemarche and Millbrook), which have both played important roles in the island's history.

Whilst  reservoirs  are human  development,  they  have the benefit  of  being superb attractors of wildlife and this can be seen by anybody walking or cycling along Chemin des Moulins.

As far as public access is concerned, the development of the Millennium footpath has provided islanders with a wonderful woodland trail along the length of the valley and this proposition is aimed solely at enhancing that excellent piece of work, which was undertaken by the island and parish communities.

The footpath has enhanced pedestrian access to the woodland but more can be done to enable islanders to access Waterworks Valley on the public highway itself, particularly by bicycle and in terms of limiting traffic, which is currently two way and can become a "rat run" during times of peak traffic, thus putting off pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists from enjoying the valley.

Enhanced public access would likely be concentrated on improving the public highway for non-motorised means of transport, subordinating vehicle traffic to that of such non- motorised methods.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no financial and manpower implications to this proposition. CRIA Statement

Should this amendment be adopted, it would make access to Waterworks Valley easier for children and young people below the age of driving as they would be able to access the valley more safely than is currently possible.

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P.36/2021 Amd. (27)