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A St. Lawrence resident who believes that Planning “has lost control” of a development neighbouring his property is the latest to raise serious concerns about how the department is operating.
In June, Savoy Director Roberto Lora alleged that "incompetence" at the department had lost his family £250,000 after proposals to demolish his hotel and replace it with homes were rejected by the Planning Committee.
He said the disappointing result was the conclusion to a saga involving differing messages from planning officers based in Jersey and the UK and a "farcical scene" as the proposals were presented to the Committee.
More recently, Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf claimed that a "culture of overpromising and underdelivering" within Planning – for which he holds political responsibility – had led to the loss of nine affordable homes.
That criticism followed a damning independent report on the "underperforming" Planning Department, which condemned its "unfit for purpose" processes and "severely dysfunctional IT systems" and called for "radical improvements".
The report added that "far too much is expected of young and inexperienced staff lacking the technical knowledge to carry out work effectively".
Now, Roly Cooke, who lives at La Passage Farm, which is behind Carrefour Selous, has taken aim at the compliance and enforcement arm of the department.
He says he feels helpless after reporting what he sees as multiple breaches of conditions set within the terms of planning permission given for 17 units being built next to his home.
The Regulation team within Planning say they are aware of the alleged breaches and are investigating them.
The developer has been contacted for comment by Express but has not responded.
Mr Cooke, and the planning adviser he has employed to represent him, MSPlanning Ltd, have contacted Planning many times since October 2021, when he was first concerned that unauthorised works appeared to be taken place on the site.
A fortnight later, the developer was served with a seven-day stop notice. A subsequent revised application – which updated the original consent first given in 2010 and amended in 2021 – was submitted by the developer in January 2022. However, this was refused last December.
Pictured: The site is behind Carrefour Selous in St. Lawrence.
The site has a long and complicated planning history, including an Enforcement Notice issued by Planning last November which required the developer to remove an unapproved second storey on one of the units and the replacement of tarmac with brick paving.
The developer has taken down the unapproved floor, but Mr Cooke alleges that there are several other breaches that have not been rectified, including unauthorised variations to buildings, concrete bases that have been built too high, open foul sewers, inaccurate and incomplete plans, and that one unit has been built on top of an operational borehole.
“Planning have failed to respond to my concerns and when they have, their answers have been incomplete,” said Mr Cooke, who used to run a flower business from his property. “We know that the department is struggling to recruit and retain staff and here those deficiencies are being totally exposed.
“They have lost control of this site and everyone who lives around it is suffering.”
Mr Cooke has shared his concerns with parish Constable Deidre Mezbourian, who said: “Mr Cooke and his agent have copied to me some of their emails to the Planning Department."
She said she "share[s] their frustration" that, despite there appearing to be "serious breaches" with the development, "many issues remain unresolved".
“I think one of the problems is that there has not been a dedicated compliance section at Planning for some time and therefore issues like this have not received the priority they deserve," she explained.
However, Planning Enforcement has maintained that it is in control of the situation. Group Director of Regulation, Kelly Whitehead, said: “I can confirm we are aware of the alleged continuing breaches, and I’d like to reassure islanders that we are investigating.
“Planning enforcement involves sensitive discussions, which are best had directly with those involved, rather than through the media. We’re evaluating compliance and whether any formal action is required. If so, that would then be placed in the public domain.”
Environment Minister put forward an action plan based on the 16 recommendations contained in the critical independent report.
Pictured: Environment Minister, Deputy Jonathon Renouf previously admitted to shortcomings in the department.
He said at the time: “I’d like to reassure islanders and staff working within Planning services that a series of actions is being progressed, some with immediate effect, to deliver a real change and ensure we are delivering the best service possible.”
Planning "incompetence" lost us £250k
"Culture of overpromising and underdelivering" led to loss of affordable homes
Public-facing Planning officers will return within weeks
FOCUS: Action pledge as scathing review calls for "radical improvements" at Planning
Pictured top: Roly Cooke stands next to the development at La Passage Farm.
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