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WQ.243/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE
MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE BY SENATOR S.W. PALLETT
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 17th MAY 2021
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 24th MAY 2021
Question
Will the Minister explain –
- why there has been a delay in registering the planning applications for the skateparks at Les Quennevais and South Hill;
Answer
The applications for skateparks at Les Quennevais and South Hill were submitted on 26th February and 12th March respectively. Requests for further information and clarifications were received by email from Planning and Building Control on 21st April.
Since then, officers from Infrastructure, Housing and Environment – Operations and Transport have been working to prepare the additional information required.
- whether further information has been requested by the planning department, if so when was that and when was it provided;
Answer
Requests for further information and clarifications were received by email from Planning & Building Control on 21st April. Work to prepare and submit the information is ongoing with a target date for submission of the end of May.
- why any such information was not included within the initial applications;
Answer
The initial submission was based on the formal pre-application advice received from Planning & Building Control. This is itself was based only on the limited information available at the time the formal request for advice was made.
Planning & Building Control regularly request further information in support of applications to help determine whether an application can be approved.
- whether it remains the intention to deliver skateparks at both sites, and if not, why not;
Answer
It remains the intention to deliver skateparks at both sites.
- what assessment of the cost of the two skateparks has been undertaken and what are the revised costs;
Answer
A full cost plan is to be prepared as part of the business case that will be submitted to request the additional funding required to construct facilities through the Government Plan 2022 – 2025. This work is ongoing.
- what requests for funds for any additional costs there have been;
Answer
There have been no requests for additional funding. Additional funding will be requested in accordance with Government Plan 2022 – 2025 timescales.
- whether funding for skatepark facilities will come from existing budgets, and if so, which ones;
Answer
Funding will not come from existing budgets. Additional funding will be requested through the Government Plan 2022 – 2025.
- what communication has occurred regarding the commitment to provide skatepark facilities in the East;
Answer
No communications have occurred to date. The intention is to consult with the eastern parishes and the public to determine the preferred location for an eastern facility. The delivery of an eastern facility is subject to approval of additional funding through the Government Plan 2022 – 2025.
- what discussion has taken place about enhancing the facilities in St. Ouen and St. John ;
Answer
No discussion has taken place regarding enhancing facilities in St Ouen.
Early discussions have been held with the Connétable and the St John's Skatepark Committee regarding enhancements to the facilities at St John. Discussions were also held with the previous Connétable . A draft proposal has also been issued to the Connétable for discussion and consideration with the appropriate parochial and community centre stakeholders.
- what enhanced facilities in St. John , if any, have been proposed;
Answer
An enhanced modular skatepark facility has been suggested at present. However, only early discussions with key stakeholders have taken place. Any proposals would be agreed in consultation with those stakeholders.
- what business cases have been prepared for additional funding for skateparks from the 2022 Government Plan; and
Answer
The business case will be prepared and additional funding requested in accordance with Government Plan 2022 – 2025 timescales.
- whether the existing skatepark in St. Helier will be dismantled before a new skatepark is built?
Answer
There is no intention to dismantle the existing skatepark in St Helier before a new skatepark is built.