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Duty officers hope to improve accessibility of planning process

Duty officers hope to improve accessibility of planning process

Thursday 06 June 2024

Duty officers hope to improve accessibility of planning process

Thursday 06 June 2024


Duty officers will be placed in the new Government headquarters to offer face-to-face consultations as part of a bid make the planning process more accessible and user-friendly.

The introduction of duty staff is just one of a series of improvements to the planning process revealed in a report published by Environment Minister Steve Luce this week.

The Planning Services Focus 2024 sets out short, medium and long term ways to improve waiting times for planning applications, customer experience and liaison with the industry.

Many of the improvements were suggested by former Chief Planner to the Scottish government Jim MacKinnon in reviews commissioned by former Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf.

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Pictured: Mr McKinnon's review of Jersey's "underperforming" Planning Department condemned the department's "unfit for purpose" processes and "severely dysfunctional IT systems", and called for "radical improvements".

Within the next three months Deputy Luce promises that the majority of applications for small scale projects will be processed within eight weeks; he will introduce a customer service charter including the commitment to respond to phone calls within two days; improve Planning Committee meetings; and introduce regular case reviews.

He also promises better pre-application advice; planning processing agreements setting out agreed timelines, key milestones, and responsibilities; quarterly meetings with industry representatives; and publication of quarterly statistics.

The Minister described planning as "an integral part of island life", observing that the decisions made today impacted our environment and future quality of life.

"That’s why it’s important to get the planning process right," he said. 

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Pictured: Environment Minister Steve Luce said "it’s important to get the planning process right".

Deputy Luce continued: "We have already made improvements following two independent reports.

"The Planning Services Focus report highlights further areas where we can make improvements to the Planning service.

"In the short-term we want to make it quicker and easier for islanders to get minor planning approvals. In the longer term, that is within the next two years, we are exploring changes to the current planning system."

By the end of this year, the Minister pledges to embed duty planning officers in the new Government headquarters to offer face-to-face consultations and advice; publish guidance on interpreting the latest Island Plan; roll out the new RIDA digital planning system; streamline changes to permitted development by ministerial order; and introduce a checklist for applications.

Next year and in 2026, Deputy Luce promises to examine the planning system, review the way Island Plans are produced, promote higher standards of design in new developments, and streamline guidance for small scale development that does not require formal planning permission.

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