Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – seventy-third amendment. Use Of Field MN727, St. Martin

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STATES OF JERSEY

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

USE OF FIELD MN727, ST. MARTIN

Lodged au Greffe on 7th February 2022 by the Deputy S.G. Luce of St. Martin

STATES GREFFE

2021 P.36 Amd.(73)

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

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PAGE 2 –

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

the following should be inserted within the list of sites to be designated as sports and leisure enhancement areas at Policy CI5 – Sports, Leisure and Cultural facilities –

" 6. Field MN727 St. Martin (0.99 hectares/5.5 vergées) ";

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
the Draft Bridging Island Plan Proposals Map Part A – Planning Zones should be amended to reflect the adoption of paragraph (a).".

DEPUTY OF ST. MARTIN

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 –

the following should be inserted within the list of sites to be designated assports and leisure enhancement areas at Policy CI5 – Sports, Leisure andCultural facilities -

" 6. Field MN727 St. Martin (0.99 hectares/5.5 vergées) ";

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

REPORT

One of the five "Strategic Priorities", approved by this Assembly some four years ago now, when adopting the Government's Common Strategic Policy 2018-2022, was Strategic Priority 2, to "Improve Islanders' Wellbeing and Mental and Physical Health".

Members will have their own views on the Government's success in delivering "Strategic Priority Two", in particular the infrastructure that the Government have, or have not, provided to help islanders improve their wellbeing and mental and physical health.

We know that physical activity improves people's wellbeing and mental and physical health. We know that a mentally and physically healthy population has the potential to save our health and social services many millions of pounds, yet we fail to provide the infrastructure to support a healthy population. Worse still, at this time, we are decanting Fort Regent and removing all sporting activities from the site. This once sporting centre of excellence is no longer. It is acknowledged that we are embarking on a £1.9 million upgrade of Springfield and are finally commencing work on the £300,000 Les Quennevais skate park. At the time of writing this report, we are now hoping to start the redevelopment of Oakfield, despite the planning and funding difficulties. Unfortunately there is little else underway in the east of the Island that will provide new indoor sporting infrastructure that is so badly needed in Jersey.

Jersey Sport (constituted in 2017) have produced their "Inspiring Active Places 2021" policy document, that will require an estimated £100 million of public investment. Jersey Sport, who have a plan for the provision of sport and sporting facilities, recognise the importance of the private sector in the provision of sporting facilities. The "Inspiring Active Places 2021" document particularly notes "the gap in sport and physical activity provision in the east of the Island". As such, Jersey Sport supports the principle of re- zoning of field MN727 in St. Martin for an indoor cricket and sports centre with associated health and fitness facilities.

Background

In 2003 planning permission was granted to create a cricket ground and pavilion in the Green Zone, on agricultural fields MN724 and MN722A/B, St. Martin. In 2016 planning permission was granted to extend the cricket playing area onto the neighbouring agricultural field, MN727. (MN727 is the subject of this amendment.)

The Farmers Field (as the cricket ground is known) is used by the Farmers Cricket Club and Jersey Cricket Limited to host cricket matches for all age groups at all levels. From its opening in 2003, all the Island's juniors and weekend cricketers have had the opportunity to play at the Farmers Field. The Farmers Field is now a highly rated community and international cricket venue and is a privately-funded facility of which the Island should be very proud.

Cricket as a sport is flourishing in the Island. The growth in children's and women's cricket is particularly notable. Jersey is an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The men's team now enjoys much success in global ICC competitions and is now ranked 23rd in the world. Jersey and the Farmers Cricket Club hosts international competitions with teams from all over the world. Members may find

the list of nations who have played cricket in Jersey and at the Farmers Field of interest (see Appendix 2).

An indoor cricketing and sports venue with accompanied gymnasium and health and fitness studios, sited immediately alongside the cricket ground, would significantly enhance Jersey's cricketing offer, both locally and internationally. More importantly though, a multi-functional sports venue, with supporting health and wellbeing facilities, would encourage and enable more people to become physically active, thereby assisting our Government in its mission "To increase the number of physically active people by 10% by 2030".

After an Examination in Public (undertaken for the Minister for the Environment) the following was published by the Planning Inspectors:

"The site is the logical place for such a facility, being adjacent to the existing cricket ground, which provides an excellent facility for cricket in the island. The proposal is supported by the International Cricket Council and the ground has provided a venue for international teams to compete against the Jersey team. Secondly, the hearing was told that alternative arrangements for existing indoor sporting facilities at Fort Regent are being sought as Fort Regent is not ideal for indoor sports. In our view, these factors outweigh the Minister's objection. The proposal would provide a privately funded, desirable facility in a logical location. In reaching our view, we have taken into account the Active Jersey Strategy and the aim in the DBIP to ensure a broad range of high- quality facilities for sport in the island."

"Recommendation 38: Allocate in Policy CI5 field MN727 St Martin for an indoor cricket school with associated health and fitness facilities. Amend the Proposals Map to reflect this change."

I hope that Members will agree with me that there are very many benefits to be had from accepting this amendment, and that those benefits go much further than just the provision of a new sporting venue.

The rezoning proposal of Field MN727 is also supported by:

• The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture.

• Jersey Sport.

• The International Cricket Council (ICC)

• Jersey Cricket Limited.

Financial and manpower implications

There are no financial or manpower implications for the States arising from this amendment, as this project would be privately funded.

Child Rights Impact Assessment implications

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the Bridging Island Plan CRIA. If adopted, it supports Article 15 "Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations", and Article 31 "Every child has the right to relax, play". The provision of sports facilities enables children to play and be