1000 new homes hinge on UK expert advice

Wednesday 29 January 2014

UK planning inspectors are reviewing changes which would add 1,000 homes to the Island Plan.

Chris Shepley and Alan Langton are currently working on a report following a public enquiry into Planning Minister Deputy Rob Duhamel’s review of Jersey's planning blueprint, which could see fields in the country rezoned for housing. They are focusing on plans to build 1,000 new homes to meet the demand for social rental, and for first-time buyers stepping on to the property ladder.

The report has to be completed by next month if the Minister is to get his changes approved by the States before the summer recess.

Deputy Duhamel first published his revisions to the 2011 Island Plan last July. They included restrictions on development in the Coastal National Park and relaxing the policy on demolishing or retaining old buildings. However, the most contentious proposals concerned his suggestions to rezone fields and disused glasshouse sites to meet the Island’s need for first-time buyer and social rental homes.

The enquiry was the latest stage in a public consultation process that began last summer. It involved Mr Shepley and Mr Langton - who previously worked together on a public enquiry into the London Plan - inviting some of the 200 people, organisations and others who made their views known.  These included the Jersey Construction Council, Association of Jersey Architects, National Trust for Jersey and States Members including former Planning Chief Officer, Deputy John Young.

Deputy Duhamel said: “There are few black and white answers to the challenges our community faces in planning terms, but I hope this inquiry has gone some way to highlighting the many and varied complexities of planning and allow people to express their point of view.”

The Minister is committed to lodging his  final proposals in March for debate in June.