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Developers will now be able to make tailored planning applications for 11 affordable housing sites due to the long-overdue publication of supplementary guidance.
The planning guidance, prepared by Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf, refers to land allocated for development under the Bridging Island Plan – approved by the States last year – in St John, St Martin, St Mary, St Ouen, St Peter, St Saviour and Trinity.
The 87-page document sets out a series of development briefs for each of the 15 sites re-zoned for development, and outlines how developers should ensure the homes are "affordable".
Deputy Renouf said the delay to publication was a "matter of regret" that was nonetheless "necessary" to complete all aspects of the comprehensive supplementary guidance.
Pictured: Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said he had regretted the delay in publishing the guidance.
The document is essentially a one-stop shop for those looking to make planning applications and provides guidance for: the number and type of homes in each re-zoned site; design issues; neighbouring uses; heritage and archaeology; drainage; flood risk; and land contamination and site waste management.
The guidance also includes details about protecting existing trees, hedgerows, and local biodiversity, such as bat roosts; to matters of how best to secure access for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists – and sets out the associated infrastructure that should be delivered, including bus shelters, traffic calming, and shared open space.
However, development of some sites will depend on public drainage infrastructure and improvements to the island's sewerage system which are yet to happen.
Deputy Renouf said the new guidance would "enable progress on the delivery of affordable homes on 11 sites".
He explained: "This is a significant step forward and a major contribution to the Government's commitment to providing affordable housing.
"I have stated that the time taken to get to this point is a matter of regret, but it has been necessary to clarify the position on drainage infrastructure, and to develop the associated suite of revised planning guidance on density, parking, and residential space standards before this guidance could be issued."
Deputy Renouf added that the guidance would "ensure that we are creating better places to live, by setting standards for dwellings that will be durable and flexible, and meet islanders' changing needs".
It has been released following public consultation in May.
Express took a look at the definition of 'affordable housing' earlier this year.
The term carries a specific definition, which essentially means subsidised housing in the form of assisted purchase or social rented homes.
Where States of Jersey or States-owned companies' land is brought forward for the development of new homes, these shall be for affordable homes unless it has been otherwise approved that the development needs to specifically provide open market homes.
In such cases, a minimum of 15% should be made available to eligible persons in accordance with Policy H6.
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