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States Greffe: Scrutiny
Deputy John Young, Minister for the Environment Cc Senator Lyndon Farnham , Deputy Chief Minister By Email
17th January 2022
Dear Deputy Young,
Our Hospital 2022 – Public Inquiry
The Future Hospital Review has noted that there remains concern and some public confusion about the timing of the Public Inquiry into the planning application for the new hospital and the deadline for making representations to that inquiry in the context of the forthcoming debate on the Bridging Island Plan.
It is understood by the Panel that representations being made by the public to the Planning Inquiry are, necessarily, submitted against the backdrop of the current Island Plan but are to be evaluated by the Planning Inspector appointed to the Public Inquiry under the Bridging Island Plan – which is yet to be debated.
As a helpful frame of reference for the public, the timeline, as is it is understood by the Panel, is as follows:
• The public can make representations to the Planning Inspector up to Sunday 23 January.
• Eligible bodies can provide detailed Proof of Evidence' submissions up to 20 February.
• The Bridging Island Plan debate begins on 14 March and is anticipated to finish by Friday 25 March (although it is understood that provision could be made for it to continue into the following week if necessary).
• The Public Inquiry opens at 9.30 am on Monday 28 March for one week.
While the Panel appreciates the need for expedient timing in relation to the Public Inquiry to provide certainty for the public it has two significant concerns.
The first is that this change of policy base partway through the process is problematic for those making representations.
Secondly, and most importantly, the time between the conclusion of the Bridging Island Plan debate and the start of the Public Inquiry cannot provide the Planning Inspector with sufficient time to digest the newly adopted policy as amended.
The Panel would be grateful if you would give immediate consideration to:
States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je
- Issuing guidance for the public on how to proceed with representations to the Planning Inspector given that these are being written under one Island Plan regime but will be evaluated under another.
- Implementing a short delay of a week or two to the beginning of the Public Inquiry to allow the Planning Inspector adequate time to digest the implications of the amended and adopted Bridging Island Plan following the conclusion of the debate on the proposed policy
The Panel would be grateful for a response to be provided as soon as possible and within five working days of receipt of this letter.
Yours sincerely
Senator Kristina Moore
Chair
Future Hospital Review Panel
States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je