Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – tenth amendment Nelson Street Car Park

STATES OF JERSEY

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – TENTH AMENDMENT NELSON STREET CAR PARK

Lodged au Greffe on 9th July 2021 by Deputy R. J. Ward of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36 Amd.(10)

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

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After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" should be inserted the words "except that –

1. within Policy CI4, after the words "existing community facilities." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"To  address  specific  deficiencies  in  the  provision  of  youth  facilities,  the following  site  is  safeguarded  for  use  as  a  youth  facility.  The  alternative development of this site will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that it is no longer required for this purpose:

Nelson Street car park /The Old Fire Station site: Nelson Street, St. Helier "

2. the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent upon the adoption of paragraph (a); and
3. the Draft Bridging Island Plan Proposals Map Part A – Planning Zones should be amended to reflect the adoption of paragraph (a)."

DEPUTY R. J. WARD OF ST. HELIER

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 –

1. within Policy CI4, after the words "existing community facilities." there should be inserted the following new paragraph –

"To  address  specific  deficiencies  in  the  provision  of  youth  facilities,  the following  site  is  safeguarded  for  use  as  a  youth  facility.  The  alternative development of this site will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that it is no longer required for this purpose:

Nelson Street car park /The Old Fire Station site: Nelson Street, St. Helier "

2. the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respects asmay be necessary consequent upon the adoption of paragraph (a); and
3. 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. (10)

REPORT

This  is  a  relatively  straightforward  amendment,  the  wording  of  which  is  self- explanatory. The intention, which is to safeguard the Nelson Street car park/The Old Fire Station site in Nelson Street for use as a youth facility ("the facility"), is very clear.

There is no advantage to rehearsing the arguments for a North of St Helier Youth Centre as the need for such a facility was agreed on 4th December 2018 following the adoption of an amendment to the Common Strategic Policy.

The Common Strategic Policy 2018-2022 at p.20 under "What we will achieve" states that "as a result of our actions during our term of office, we will:

"Ensure purpose-built youth facilities are created in the North of St. Helier, in close proximity to new housing developments at Millennium Park and Ann Street".

There is a pressing need, however, to act on this decision to keep our promise and create this facility. Given that funding in the sum of £4.25 million has been allocated in the Government Plan 2021-2024 (Table 17 Detailed Capital Programme) and therefore is not an issue, any further delay is unconscionable.

A Pre-Feasibility Report for a North of Town Community Youth Facility identified 11 site options of which the Nelson Street car park/Old Fire Station at Nelson Street was one. The Recommendations within the pre-feasibility report states -

"Option 9 – Nelson Street Car Park and Old Fire Station – proves without doubt the best option location and functioning close to amenity spaces frequented by young people".

This is an opportunity to illustrate to the public that States Members adhere to their promises and I ask you support this amendment.

Financial and manpower implications

The funding for the Youth Facility was allocated within the Government Plan 2021- 2024 and therefore would have little or no unexpected implications.

Child Rights Impact Assessment review

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the Bridging Island Plan CRIA. The amended clauses are positive to all relevant articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as the amendment seeks to improve access to education, play and wellbeing for children.

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P.36/2021 Amd. (10)