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19-21 Broad Street | St Helier Jersey | JE2 4WE
Connétable Mike Jackson Chair, EHI Panel
BY EMAIL
27 December 2020
Dear Mike
Bridging Island Plan 2022-24 Review - Jersey Chamber of Commerce Submissions
I am writing to the Panel regarding the two submissions from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Building and Development Committee (JCC') dated 3 December 2020 and 4 December 2020 in regard to the Panel's review of the Bridging Island Plan (BIP').
Firstly, I would like to thank the JCC for their comments and for their comprehensive review of the current Island Plan.
The current Island Plan Review is comprehensive in its scope and the bridging Island Plan will, when approved, supersede the current Island Plan, to provide the new framework for planning and decision-making. As a consequence, the bridging Island Plan will continue to be prepared to the same standards as previous Island Plans. This will include public consultation and independent examination along with intense political scrutiny prior to its consideration by the States Assembly.
It is worth noting that the draft bridging Plan is being developed in light of the various comments made about the policies of the current Island Plan, and also in light of the new evidence base that is emerging. A full public consultation will be undertaken on the draft plan when it is published in spring 2021, and I look forward to the JCC's further comments at that time.
As I and my officers have said previously, officers were given a steer from the Council of Ministers to achieve an Island Plan in spite of the challenges we all face as a result of Covid-19. I am sure it is understandable that with the tight deadline we face, officers have had to move at pace and were not able to consult as much as they might have liked in reshaping the form and process that needs to be followed to achieve this objective. I would, however, hope that the subsequent briefings have provided you and your members with any information they require; and that, as always, officers remain approachable and accessible to deal with any specific queries.
I would add that I do believe a comprehensive review by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel should help to alleviate the concerns of key stakeholders, including the JCC, as well as members of the public about the need to develop a shorter-term plan at this time of great uncertainty.
I would conclude that my officers and I do recognise that there are uncertainties, but it is the view of the Council of Ministers that a bridging Island Plan is the best option at this time and was preferable to extending the current Island Plan; which, arguably, as the JCC's own review demonstrates, has areas that need addressing.
Yours sincerely
Deputy John Young Minister for the Environment
D +44 (0)1534 440540 E j.young@gov.je