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It will be easier for property owners to divide their buildings to provide additional units of accommodation after a narrow States Assembly vote.
On Day 7 of debate on the mammoth three-year Bridging Island Plan (BIP), States Members went against the advice of the Environment Minister and approved a change in housing policy, which makes it more straightforward for garages, outbuildings, stables and other structures to be converted to housing.
The proposer, Senator Kristina Moore, described it as a “simple amendment” to stop waste and enhance the enjoyment of the countryside for someone who may not otherwise be able to afford to live there.
However, Deputy John Young said that the changes in the Senator’s amendment were “a step too far” and represented a “significant challenge” to the strong emphasis on countryside protection included in the BIP.
He warned Members that the proposal referred to “buildings” rather “dwellings” so any structure could be put forward for conversion, including redundant farm buildings. He added that there were other policies in the BIP governing these types of conversions.
St. Martin Deputy Steve Luce, a former Environment Minister, said he was concerned about the subjectivity of the amendment’s wording, which would allow the development of new homes “in limited circumstances” including the conversion, extension and/or subdivision of existing buildings.
“What exactly is ‘limited circumstances?’ he asked. “In my experience, planning officers don’t like subjective words.”
Other Members said that the need for houses was paramount and every effort to increase supply should be supported.
The amendment was approved by 21 votes to 17 with three abstentions.
On Tuesday afternoon, Members also voted to lower the target energy rate which applies to new developments to 20%, to remove the requirement for new affordable to meet the ‘Passivhaus’ standard of energy efficiency.
They also agreed to safeguard a field in St. Helier for use by Mont à l’Abbé School in the future.
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