Consultation on draft planning guidance for the density of residential development

About the consultation

​This supplementary planning guidance has been issued as a draft for consultation in accord with Proposal 21 of the bridging Island Plan which states that the Minister for the Environment will develop supplementary planning guidance to establish minimum density standards for the Island’s built-up areas to assist with the interpretation and application of Policy H2 - Housing density.

The note also provides guidance and introduces an interim policy about the development of larger homes in the built-up area where they are in excess of 279 square metres (sq.m.) or 3,000 square feet (sq.ft.) gross internal floorspace: interim Policy H2A – Density of residential development in the built-up area. This element of interim policy and guidance complements the planning policy framework established by the bridging Island Plan and responds to the policy objectives of the government, specifically action eight of the 100 Day Plan , which seeks ‘to introduce limits on the number of houses that can be built over 3,000 sq. ft. for a period of time in order to focus on tackling the housing crisis.’

The Minister for the Environment also proposes to adopt the design guidance from the St Helier urban character appraisal (SHUCA) (see section 7, page 77 to page 140) and the integrated landscape and seascape character assessment (ILSCA) as supplementary planning guidance to ensure that it is taken into account in planning decisions. The SHUCA and the ILSCA formed part of the evidence base that was prepared to inform the development of the bridging Island Plan and has already been the subject of consultation and review as part of the island plan review process.

Draft supplementary planning guidance for the density of residential development in the built-up area

St Helier Urban Character Appraisal (SHUCA)

Jersey Integrated Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment (ISLCA)

How to submit comments to the consultation

​This consultation is now closed.

Responses to the consultation

Draft supplementary planning guidance was published in October 2022. This generated constructive feedback on the implications of new guidance for future housing development in the island. The Minister has carefully considered the responses received and has made changes to the draft guidance.

The revised guidance will help ensure that the application of a design-led approach to increasing the density of new development delivers the optimal use of urban land in Jersey.

Density of residential development consultation responses

Density standards

Design guidance for St Helier