Wealthy resident’s development “under investigation”

Thursday 10 May 2018

Jersey's Planning Department has confirmed it is investigating how a 'high-value' resident who was given planning permission for a games room and study in his manor home instead built two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

The probe was launched following a report published last week by independent planning inspector Graham Self.

He was tasked with investigating whether to allow an appeal by high net-worth resident Gerald Snyman to build additional staff accommodation near his St. Lawrence home, which features extensive garages to house a Morris Minor collection.

But his investigations revealed that the residence contained more bedrooms than had previously been stated, which it seems had not been authorised under a 2012 planning permission for a 'games room' and study. 

“[The development’s] layout and function differs materially from that approved, and unless development of this type is carried out internally as well as externally in accordance with a planning permission, it is unlawful… The Department of the Environment has evidently not taken any enforcement action against what would appear to be a breach of planning control,” Mr Self wrote.

Mr Self also criticised repeated references to Malorey House being a “high net worth dwelling” in the appeal documents, which he felt suggested that wealthy residents had previously been given preferential treatment by Planning. 

Pictured: A bird's eye view of the multi-million Malorey House estate, which may have had two bedrooms added to it illegally. (Google Maps)

Following Mr Self’s report, the Minister denied the application last week. Planning officials have since confirmed to Express that they have initiated an investigation.

A spokesperson commented: “The department’s recommendation was that permission be refused for a staff accommodation unit. As part of their case, the agent for the applicant argued that high value residents should be entitled to on-site staff accommodation. The Inspector did not accept this and aligned with the department’s position, recommending permission was refused in accordance with the Green Zone policies. The Minister endorsed this position and the application was refused (i.e. no special treatment).

“On his unaccompanied site visit to Malorey House, the Inspector found the existing accommodation in the wider building may not have been configured in accordance with the approved drawings. This issue was raised with the Department for the first time earlier this week, and is currently under investigation.”

In a separate appeal relating to development of a farm area named La Tache, La Grande Route de St. Ouen, Mr Self added that no steps appeared to have been taken following an apparently ignored waste disposal enforcement notice. It led him to claim that illegal waste dumping sites had appeared to have become “a necessary part of Jersey’s overall waste disposal requirements.”

Pictured: The Planning Inspector expressed strong concerns over the ubiquity of illegal waste disposal in Jersey.

The application was refused by the Minister, and Planning officials told Express: “An Enforcement Notice has been issued against the unauthorised skip sorting use on this site, alongside which all parties have been working to find an amicable solution. Following the appeal decision earlier this week and the refusal of planning permission, the Department is considering whether to pursue further action. No doubt the applicant will be considering their options too.”

They added: “It is incorrect to infer that the Island relies on unlicensed sites to meet its waste sorting needs… The majority of waste sites in the Island (including those of the largest scale and importance) are Licenced under the Waste Management Law. There remain a few smaller operators who are still in the process of securing their Licences and are in live dialogue with the department. The recent planning application is evidence of this regulatory process for the La Tache operations, as a Waste Management Licence can only be issued if a waste site is lawful (i.e. has planning permission).

“Given that planning permission has now been refused, and a license cannot be issued, the Department is also considering whether action is required under waste management legislation.”