Env Minister blocks home extension over sunlight concerns

Tuesday 09 August 2022

A proposed extension to a St. Helier home has been blocked by the new Environment Minister - in what was his first planning appeal decision - amid concerns about its “overbearing” nature and impact on sunlight.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf refused permission after an independent planning inspector upheld an appeal by a third party against the single-storey extension to Les Quatre Saisons, which is in Abbey Close off Grande Route de St. Jean.

The Deputy agreed with the inspector’s view that the proposed extension – which had already been approved by a Planning officer – would “by virtue of its sense of overbearing and its effect upon the level of sunlight during winter months, unreasonably harm the amenities of the occupants of a neighbouring dwelling, contrary to Policy GD1 of the 2022 Bridging Island Plan.”

The policy states that “all development proposals must be considered in relation to their potential health, wellbeing and wider amenity impacts”.

Pictured: Abbey Close is just north of the Motor Mall off Grande Route de St. Jean.

It specifically says that a development cannot “unreasonably affect the level of sunlight and daylight to buildings and land that owners and occupiers might expect to enjoy”.

In his report considering the appeal of a neighbour, independent inspector David Hainsworth, who visited the property and surrounding area, concluded that that extension would “unreasonably harm the amenities of the occupants of the adjoining dwelling,” which was owned by the person appealing.

“In my opinion, the gable end would create a sense of overbearing because of its height and proximity to the dayroom and patio,” he said. 

Pictured: The decision was Deputy Renouf's first planning decision as Environment Minister.

He continued: “Because of its position south of the dayroom and the patio, it would... also result in some loss of the winter sunshine which the appellant has hitherto expected to enjoy. 

“While there may not be many opportunities to enjoy this sunshine on the patio at this time of the year, this sunshine makes an important contribution to the dayroom and its loss would, in my opinion, unreasonably harm the enjoyment of this room during the winter months.”