Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – sixty-fifth amendment. Amendment to Policy GD7.

STATES OF JERSEY

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P36/2021) – SIXTY-FIFTH AMENDMENT

AMENDMENT TO POLICY GD7

Lodged au Greffe on 7th February 2022 by Senator I. J. Gorst

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36 Amd. (65)

ISLAND PLAN 2022-2025: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – SIXTY-FIFTH AMENDMENT

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After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that –

1. within Policy GD7, for the words "in exceptional circumstances" substitute the words "in appropriate circumstances";
2. on  page  91  of  the  draft  Bridging  Island  Plan  for  the  words  "The development of high-rise buildings over eight storeys will not, therefore, be  supported  in  St  Helier"  substitute  "The  development  of  high-rise buildings over eight storeys in St Helier will, therefore, only be supported in appropriate circumstances."; and
3. the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent to the adoption of (a)."

SENATOR I. J. GORST

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 GD7, for the words "in exceptional circumstances" substitutethe words "in appropriate circumstances";
2. on  page  91  of  the  draft  Bridging  Island  Plan  for  the  words  "Thedevelopment of high-rise buildings over eight storeys will not, therefore,be  supported  in  St  Helier"  substitute  "The  development  of  high-rise buildings over eight storeys in St Helier will, therefore, only be supportedin appropriate circumstances."; and
3. the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respectsas may be necessary consequent to the adoption of (a)."

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P.36/2021 Amd. (65)

REPORT

This amendment would provide greater flexibility in the Island Plan for the development of buildings higher than 8 storeys in St Helier, provided that is appropriate in making the optimal use of sites and in supporting the overall improvement of the public realm both in St Helier and the whole Island.

At present, the Island Plan would allow for developments over 8 storeys in town, but only in "exceptional" circumstances. In planning terms, this means a heavy assumption against such developments. A move to the policy allowing these developments in "appropriate" circumstances gives a greater chance of plans over 8 storeys being approved where these can demonstrate clear benefits for our town and the overall interests of the Island. I wish to emphasise that the purpose of this amendment is, accordingly, to enable the development of buildings over 8 storeys where that is advantageous for both St Helier and the Island.

As a small Island, Jersey has a finite amount of land that is available to develop and we need to make optimum use of it. One option for reducing the amount of land that we need to build on is to allow taller buildings. This, in turn, means that those buildings will have a greater amount of space around them, and this space can then be used to provide facilities and amenities which will benefit the community. This might include parks and/or recreation areas, public artwork, water features, community spaces or anything  else  which  the  public  might  value  over  time.  I  emphasise  that  such developments will be appropriate in some, but not all circumstances. The important principle  behind  this  amendment  is  that  the  option  will  be  there,  where  the circumstances are appropriate, and the planning assumption won't always be against such developments.

Allowing taller buildings which improve the public realm in St Helier will have the additional advantage of potentially saving the remaining green sites in our capital parish and limiting urban development elsewhere in the Island. This is beneficial to all Islanders given that those who live in rural areas need and will enjoy an improved St Helier and those who live in urban areas value the beauty of our countryside.

This is an amendment which seeks to ensure all options are available to improve the overall environment of the Island and deliver planning decisions which can achieve that objective. I hope Members will see the merits of this amendment.

Financial and Manpower Implications

There are no resource implications that would arise as a result of this amendment being adopted.

Child Rights Impact Assessment Review

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the Bridging Island Plan CRIA. There is no direct impact on children, as all developments would need to be assessed for appropriateness.  

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P.36/2021 Amd. (65)