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3.10 The Connétable of St. Lawrence of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding the total number of units of accommodation completed or subject to planning applications in 5 Parishes since 1st January 2005:
In relation to all 5 parishes of St. Brelade, St. Lawrence, St. Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter, what is the total number of units of accommodation that have been approved, that have been completed or that are presently the subject of planning applications since 1st January 2005?
Senator F.E. Cohen (The Minister for Planning and Environment):
I regret that I am unable to provide this information today. Extracting the information from the Planning Department's computerised application monitoring system requires a unique report to be produced by a computer specialist. I have given instructions that the report be prepared, and will provide the Connétable with the information as soon as it is available. I have instructed that this work be regarded as a priority.
- Deputy I.J. Gorst :
Is it possible to ask the Minister to provide the same report for St. Clement?
Senator F.E. Cohen: I will do so.
- Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
[Aside] I think I am right in saying that the foreword to the Island Plan 2002 states that the Plan presents both a vision and a framework which will enable an holistic
approach to planning and development. In fact the introduction states that the Plan plays a major role in the Island's strategic and local planning. How does not
monitoring the level of development occurring as it is approved by the department fit
in with the definition of strategic planning? How is the department able to demonstrate its competence to deal with planning matters when it fails on such a simple and strategic point in monitoring the building that is going on in the Island on a proactive basis?
Senator F.E. Cohen:
Monitoring is not just a question of monitoring the empirical numbers; it is a question of monitoring the generality of applications and balancing the applications, and I have made no secret of the fact that I am now working with the Minister for Housing in relation to a complete reassessment of the requirements for housing, where they should be located, tailoring the consents to meet those requirements. I am also reviewing carefully the H3 and H4 sites and looking at establishing a method of the Parishes delivering some of their own homes in a cost efficient manner.
- Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré:
Is the fact that the department has not been able to, or does not in the past monitor the overall trend of developments, it would appear, in the Island, one of the reasons that the Minister of Transport was not able to provide the traffic impacts on other developments occurring in the Island other than the H2 sites? Again, perhaps, could those numbers be provided to Transport for when they update their review?
Senator F.E. Cohen:
As far as monitoring the empirical evidence is concerned, I think I have answered that it is not the only issue that needs to be taken into account, and I will be looking very carefully at having a proper balance of development, and that will include producing some statistical figures. But, bear in mind that the Planning for Homes document in 2005 clearly looked into our requirements. We now clearly know what is required for the next 5 years and I will be balancing consents accordingly.
- Deputy S. Power:
Can I ask the Minister, in relation to the Constable of St. Lawrence's question, that when he instructs his computer to produce the information that he has agreed, that he also includes those developments on approved areas H1, H2 sides? So, at the consultation stage and unofficially at planning application stage.
Senator F.E. Cohen:
Yes, I will do so.
- The Deputy of St. Peter :
Will the Minister agree that the provision of this new statistic, based on the questions asked by the Constable of St. Ouen will help him make an objective assessment in what he is trying to achieve in developments out in the West?
Senator F.E. Cohen:
We most certainly will, and that is why I have instructed that this work be carried out as a top priority. I will report back as soon as I have the necessary statistical information.
- Deputy S.C. Ferguson:
Given that the department has input into a very sophisticated mapping system, surely the planning maps should also be produced to show the effect of where the developments are going to be. This would be a useful adjunct to the bare statistics.
Picture the planning maps that are available. If you have a map of the Island with all
the developments on it, does the Minister not think that would help in his overall holistic review of the Island requirements?
Senator F.E. Cohen:
I think in relation to the Digimap, the Digimap is a photographic map, so I do not think it would be appropriate to include proposed schemes in a photographic map. There are already maps at the department that show proposed sites, that I look at quite regularly. But I am quite prepared to discuss this with the Deputy and to try and find out exactly what she would require, and produce such a map.