Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – ninety-fifth amendment. Policy CI5: Sports, leisure and cultural facilities

STATES OF JERSEY

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

 POLICY CI5 - SPORTS, LEISURE AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, CONSOLIDATED

Lodged au Greffe on 11th February 2022 by the Minister for the Environment

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36 Amd. (95)

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: (P.36/2021): NINETY-FIFTH AMENDMENT ____________

PAGE 2 –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that, within Policy CI5 - Sports, leisure and cultural facilities –

1. at point 3, the words "or increases" should be deleted, and after the words "use by the public" there should be inserted the words "or increases the proportion of freely accessible public green space";
2. after "Southwest St. Helier Planning Framework Area", there should be inserted "6. FB Fields, La Grande Route de St. Clement ";
3. after the words "Southwest St. Helier Planning Framework Area." there should be inserted the words –

"The development of sports and leisure uses may also be supported in the identified sports and leisure area of potential (St. Peter) but only where the public benefit and contribution to the viability and success of local sports can be proven to outweigh any loss or harm to the landscape and agricultural land";

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

MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

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 –

within Policy CI5 - Sports, leisure and cultural facilities –

1. at point 3, the words "or increases" should be deleted, and after the words "use by the public" there should be inserted the words "or increases the proportion of freely accessible public green space";
2. after "Southwest St. Helier Planning Framework Area", there should be inserted  "6. FB Fields, La Grande Route de St. Clement ";

3. after the words "Southwest St. Helier Planning Framework Area." there should be inserted the words –

"The development of sports and leisure uses may also be supported in the identified sports and leisure area of potential ( St. Peter ) but only where the public benefit and contribution to the viability and success of local sports can be proven to outweigh any loss or harm to the landscape and agricultural land";  

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

REPORT

These proposed changes to Policy CI5 have arisen as a result of the consultation and examination  in  public  process,  as  recommended  by  the  planning  inspectors  and endorsed by the Minister for the Environment.

In order to provide a consolidated view of all amendments that the Minister for the Environment is minded to make or accept relative to Policy CI5 – Sports, leisure and cultural facilities, this amendment includes - at part (a) - words to the effect of P.36/2021 Amd. (9), lodged by Deputy Ward , which seeks to amend the additional considerations attached to the future development of Springfield Stadium, to maintain or increase the availability of freely accessible public green space. This is supported by the Minister (see Minister's Statement Response SR 14 - Policy CI5 - Springfield sports and leisure enhancement area).

The inclusion of FB Fields as a sports and leisure enhancement area has been proposed following a representation made by Jersey Sport, which seeks to improve facilities on the site as part of the Inspiring Active Places Strategy. This has been supported by both the Minister and also independent planning inspectors following the examination in public (see Minister's Statement Response SR15 Policy CI5 - FB Fields - proposed sports and leisure enhancement area). Its designation, based on the site plan at appendix 1, would need to be reflected on the proposals map.

A new sports and leisure area of potential is proposed on the land to the south of Strive Health Club in St Peter, supported by both Jersey Sport and Strive in representations. The Minister acknowledges the potential benefits of developing this land for sporting use, which may include the development of netball courts to meet an identified need; and where private investment would reduce the pressure on Government to fund and develop these facilities on an alternative site. The benefit of any such development would, however, remain to be considered relative to normal planning considerations, including its impact on the loss of agricultural land and impact on local landscape character.

This potential of sport-related development here is supported by both the Minister and also  independent  planning  inspectors,  following  the  examination  in  public  (see Minister's Statement Response SR 13 - Land to the south of Strive, St Peter (fields P789B, P898 & P789A) and recommendation 43 of the inspectors' report on p. 64). Identification of this area, as a new sports and leisure area of potential, would need to be reflected on the proposals map, as set out in appendix 2.

Full background information relating to these changes can be found in the Minister's post-consultation report,  the inspectors' report, and  the Minister's response to the inspectors' report.

As a result of parts (a) – (c), Policy CI5 will read as follows:

Financial and manpower implications

There are no direct financial and manpower implications.

CRIA statement

The effect of this amendment is in positive alignment with the Minister's published CRIA. It will not lead to adverse impacts upon the rights of children and will support children by enabling adequate access to sports, leisure and open space facilities.

Appendix 1: FB Fields - designation as a sports and leisure enhancement area

Appendix 2: sports and leisure area of potential at fields P789B, P898, and P789A, St Peter