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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY R.G. LE HÉRISSIER OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 3rd JULY 2007
Question
Does the Minister consider it desirable that power to grant planning permission be vested in one person, that is, the Minister for Planning and Environment? If not, what does he propose to do about it?
Answer
In my answer to Deputy Le Hérissier's question on the same subject tabled at the last States sitting I outlined some of the checks and balances on my powers. The implementation of Third Party Appeals significantly alters the situation as my decisions can now be appealed both by applicants and relevant objectors.
I regard the present situation with respect to my powers as satisfactory. However if the Privileges and Procedures Committee suggests changes in the way my powers are exercised then that is a matter for its members and for the States as a whole.
In principle vesting planning powers in the Minister is no different from the powers vested in other Ministers. It is for the States to decide if the Planning Minister's position warrants special arrangements that are not applicable to other Ministers.
It is relevant to note, as stated in my previous answer, that I am moving towards holding all Ministerial decision meetings in public, when I make application decisions or other decisions relating to individual properties (such as Listing). This will include provision for hearing oral representations from those wishing to make them. I intend that these provisions should be in place for my next decision-taking meeting in July.