“It’s more about process than people”

Tuesday 07 May 2019

A former parish constable has slammed the States Assembly over their response to the housing crisis, warning that children born today may have to wait until they’re five or six years old until their parents are able to afford a home.

The comments came from former St. Peter Constable John Refault, following the rejection of plans to rezone land in St. Peter in order to build 65 homes.

Senator Kristina Moore asked States Members on Friday to vote in favour of amending the Island Plan 2011 in order to change the status of two fields to finally get the ‘Ville du Manoir’ development consisting of three-bedroom homes – the most in-demand type – off the ground.

The #StatesAssembly is debating the proposal from Senator Kristina @Moore4Jersey to make a change to the Island Plan to allow affordable housing to be built on fields next to St Peter’s Village for islanders with close links to the Parish #AffordableHousing #JerseyCI

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 3, 2019

The proposed development had divided parishioners – some of which claimed that it would lead to the loss of green space, while others maintained that the need for housing was more important. 

Senator Moore drew on recent housing reports, which stated that thousands of new homes will be needed in the next decade to keep up with demand, as well as the government’s pledge to “put children first”, in arguing her proposal. 

The Housing Minister, Senator Sam Mézec, agreed with the plan, but ultimately it did not receive enough support to pass.

As well as Senators Moore and Mézec, just seven members voted in favour: Senator Steve Pallett, Constables Richard Buchanan and Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, and Deputies Carina Alves, Jess Perchard, Richard Renouf and Montfort Tadier.

Senator Kristina @Moore4Jersey says there is a housing crisis in #JerseyCI and this debate is a call for action to deliver 'much needed' affordable homes. #StatesAssembly

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 3, 2019

An amendment of the plan by former Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, which would have involved shifting the location of the development to create more green space, also fell. 

During the course of the debate, much was made of the Island Plan, which sets out the rules that must be followed in designing new developments and isn’t set to be updated until 2021. The Solicitor General confirmed that making changes to it would be a lengthy process. 

But the former Constable, John Refault, hit out at this discussion as an example of States Members being “more about process than people”, as he expressed disappointment at the plans being “kicked into the long grass” again due to Island Plan concerns.

“If a policy doesn’t fit exactly, you amend it if there’s a need. Beyond any doubt at all, the need has been proven,” he told Express.

The #StatesAssembly has voted to REJECT the proposal to allow affordable housing to be built on fields next to St. Peter’s village. RESULT: 9 FOR vs. 27 AGAINST and 2 ABSTENTIONS

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 3, 2019

“What I’m really disappointed about is the [Children’s Pledge]… The part that rings out to me in the pledge is where the government acknowledges that Jersey children and young people need more than good intentions. They need concrete decisive action and they need the public service to treat this [housing] as an urgent priority,” he said.

The former St. Peter representative continued: “The most damning of the whole thing is the fact that these young people now many of them know they will never now have an affordable home… Once the Island Plan goes through all its iterations, it will be two to three years beyond before anything is delivered. 

“We’re looking at a child being five years old before their parents get to think about the possibility of being one of the lucky ones getting an affordable home.”