When was the Minister and his department’s officers were first made aware of the proposed development and by-pass scheme in St. John? Number of meetings held and on what dates they were held and who was present

2.5   Connétable G.F. Butcher of St. John of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding  the proposed development and by-pass scheme for St. John :

Would the Minister advise the Assembly when he or his department's officers were first made aware of the proposed development and by-pass scheme in St. John? How many meetings were held to discuss the proposal? On what dates they were held, and who was present?

Senator F.E. Cohen (The Minister for Planning and Environment):

I am advised that the proposal, or something similar to it, was raised informally by its designer with the Planning Department many years ago. I do not have precise details of any discussions that took place at that time. The matter first came to my attention on 19th February 2007 when I held a meeting at their request with a representative of a land owner in the area and the scheme's designer. I was accompanied by a principal planning officer. My general view on such a significant proposal in a rural Parish is that the first step should be to gain the support of the Constable. Therefore, I advised the promoters that I would not offer an opinion and suggested they speak directly to the Constable. This is the only meeting held to discuss the recent proposal of which I am aware. Furthermore, I have decided that I would not determine any  planning application should one emerge. The son of one of the key landowners was a close friend. Sadly, he has recently died but I do still occasionally have contact with his mother. Therefore, the matter will be referred to the Planning Applications Panel.

1. The Connétable of St. John :

Would the Minister also confirm that he is not currently recommending rezoning any of the fields connected with this plan?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I am not entirely sure, because I am uncertain whether some of the fields connected with this plan may be involved in the Constable's recommendations in relation to the provision of sheltered housing.  I do not think they are, so if they are I will send a revised answer out. But I think you can take it that we are not.

2. Deputy F.J. Hill, B.E.M., of St. Martin :

I may have misheard what the Minister said, but I understood he said he consulted landowners in the area, or was it all the landowners concerned? Could he inform the House whether the landowners within that area were also consulted?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I did not say that I had consulted the landowners. What I said was, and I will repeat it, the matter first came to my attention on 19th February 2007 when I held a meeting at their request with a representative of the landowner in the area and the scheme's designer. I was accompanied by a principal planning officer. I did not offer an opinion and I directed them to the Constable.

3. Deputy A.D. Lewis of St. John :

If indeed necessary would the Minister be prepared to attend a public meeting in St. John, should one be held?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

No, Sir, I think it would be inappropriate for me to do so. I think, bearing in mind my relationship with one of the families involved, I think it would be more appropriate that the Assistant Minister, Deputy Pryke, attended such a meeting.

4. The Deputy of St. John :

Would the Minister be prepared to explain who exactly he has met and discussed this with so far?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I think I have already said that the only meeting I have held was one meeting on 19th February 2007. I have had a brief discussion with the Deputy himself, of which he is aware. That was a private discussion. Again, I offered no opinion.

5. The Connétable of St. John :

Would the Minister confirm that the other person at the meeting was a Mr. Spencer-Nairn?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment on exactly who was at the meeting in a public forum. I am prepared to give the answer to the Constable in private.

6. Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:

Could the Minister outline under what conditions he does meet people who have development plans and wish to discuss the viability of those plans?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I have got an open-door policy. I am prepared really to meet anybody, providing the meeting is in the presence of a planning officer. I meet occasionally applicants; I meet regularly objectors. In fact I held a number of meetings yesterday with objectors. I believe that it is very important that Islanders have direct access to the Minister and I spend a great deal of my time interacting as much as I possibly can with Islanders who have concerns, either for, or against developments.

7. Deputy J.G. Reed of St. Ouen :

Could the Minister inform us whether or not he is suggesting that the Planning Department would seriously consider this form of development in the countryside?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

As I have explained, I have no opinion. I have directed those present at the meeting to the Constable.  If the Constable was prepared to bring this forward as some sort of a proposal then, yes, of course, we would look at it. I am not prepared to comment until I hear the Constable's views.