The task of replacing a crucial document that lies at the heart of planning-related decision making in Jersey will be “a key responsibility for the next government”, the Environment Minister has said.
Deputy Steve Luce said that the process to bring forward the next Island Plan should begin “early in the next political term”, with a view to being debated and approved in 2027 or 2028.
Described as “the primary consideration in any planning-related decision making”, the document plays a central role in guiding future development in the island and determines how Jersey will protect its natural environment.
The current “Bridging” Island Plan, which was developed and approved while former St Brelade Deputy John Young was Environment Minister, covers 2022 to 2025.
The shorter period was deemed more appropriate than the normal ten-year
cyclical plan, after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted Government operations and delayed the Island Plan review process.
Deputy Luce noted that the Bridging Island Plan, which was approved in March 2022, was developed in response to “a period of significant uncertainty”.
The next step must be to lay the foundations for a robust, future-facing plan that meets Jersey’s needs for the decade ahead
Environment Minister Steve Luce
He said: “Its three-year timeframe allowed us to work on critical issues such as the delivery of affordable housing, while providing the flexibility needed to respond to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the post-Brexit environment.”
Deputy Luce continued: “Since then, the pressures that prompted the creation of the Bridging Island Plan – particularly those linked to population growth – have eased.
“In addition, we now have sufficient affordable housing sites identified to meet anticipated demand over the coming years. This provides a degree of stability and space for more strategic planning.”
The Minister confirmed that work to prepare for the next Island Plan was “already underway”.
He added: “A number of important pieces of technical and policy work are either completed, in progress, or still to begin.
“These will be critical in shaping the evidence base and policy direction for the next long-term plan.”
While the Bridging Island Plan remains in force until it is formally replaced, Deputy Luce stated the development of a new ten-year plan would be “a key responsibility for the next government”.
He said: “Ideally, the process should begin early in the next political term, with a view to bringing a new plan to the States Assembly for debate and approval in 2027 or 2028.
“The Bridging Island Plan has enabled us to respond to immediate challenges.
“The next step must be to lay the foundations for a robust, future-facing plan that meets Jersey’s needs for the decade ahead.”