REPORT TO
THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
3/09/6 | 22 June 2007 |
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Building Bye-laws (Jersey) 2004. |
Purpose of the Report.
The purpose of this report is to inform the Minister of comments received following the recent public notice advising of proposed changes to the building bye-laws, so that he can fully consider those comments, before making new building bye-laws in accordance with Article 30 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002.
New Building Bye-laws.
A draft copy of the new Building Bye-laws is attached as an appendix to this report. These replace the bye-laws made under the Public Health (Control of Buildings) (Jersey) Law, and have been amended as follows:
1. Requirements relating to access to, and use of buildings changed in accordance with Ministerial Decision MD-PE-2007-0044.
2. Requirements relating to the submission of certificates in respect of electrical works amended, so that notification is submitted to the Department through the electrical contractor’s registration body, rather than the certificates being submitted by the contractor to the Jersey Electricity Company.
3. Requirements relating to the submission of completion certificates issued by approved competent persons in respect of certain controlled services and fittings, amended so that certificates are issued through the competent person’s registration body.
4. Requirements relating to the material change of use of a building simplified.
Notification of Changes.
A public notice was placed in the Jersey Gazette, together with a press release on our Website on Thursday 8 June 2007 stating that the Minister intends to make new building bye-laws, and that a draft copy was available for viewing. Fourteen days was given for comment as specified in the Planning and Building (Building bye-laws) (Jersey) Order 2007. In addition to the placing of a public notice, letters were also sent directly to those people who would be most affected by the proposed changes in respect of notification of works involving controlled services and fittings. This included letters being sent to 90 electrical contractors, 4 gas appliance contractors, 40 oil fired appliance contractors and 68 architects and surveyors who regularly submit building bye-law applications.
Comments received.
Two written comments have been received. (a copy of both letters are attached as an appendix to this report) One relates to the proposed notification procedure for electrical works and is supportive of the change. The other relates to the notification procedure for works on gas heating appliances and is not supportive of the change because of the potential cost of compliance. It is stated that the cost of providing the notification required will be £2.50 per notice.
Recommendation.
That the Minister makes the new Building Bye-laws which are set out in the draft attached as an appendix to this report, with them coming into effect on July 1 2007.
Report written by
Morris Roscouet
Assistant Director
Building Control