05 December 2006
Planning encourage Percentage for Art
New revised planning guidance, designed to encourage developers to engage artists and craftsmen to improve the quality of their buildings and public spaces, has been published by the Minister for Planning and Environment today after a period of consultation.
Planning Minister, Senator Freddie Cohen has amended new planning guidance following recent public consultation about encouraging Percentage for Art as part of significant new development. “I want to encourage developers of larger schemes in the Island to deliver buildings of the highest quality from which Islanders draw pride“ said Senator Cohen “Embracing the skills of artists and craftsmen can contribute to this objective: it is all about making sure we have a better built environment” he added. “I have listened to the responses to the consultation process about the high cost of development in the Island and, as a result, I have reduced the maximum level of contribution for Percentage for Art to 0.75% of construction costs. The standard rate in many parts of the UK is 1%. I have also lowered the threshold for non-residential development to 500 square metres, as developments of this size are still significant in Jersey terms.”
The Percentage for Art policy is based on a voluntary principle – which means that where development is of a certain scale, developers will be encouraged to include, as part of the costs of the building, a contribution to public art: this will be negotiated through the planning process. Not all development will involve public art and the planning guidance sets out the circumstances when Percentage for Art would be encouraged; describes what types of art it would include and how artists can be engaged in development projects.
It is anticipated that in most cases, Percentage for Art contributions will result in the inclusion of some creative contribution to the fabric of a building or a space outside a building. In some cases, Percentage for Art contributions might be pooled. “This could, if it gains the support of WEB and waterfront developers, be a way of examining the potential for a new National Gallery for Jersey” suggested Senator Cohen. “This possibility will be explored in the coming months”.
In operating the Percentage for Art policy, Senator Cohen will be seeking the advice of a new group to be set up under the Education, Sport and Culture’s Council for Culture to advise him about the form and content of Percentage for Art contributions.
Contacts
Senator Freddie Cohen 07797 714550
Minister for Planning and Environment
Kevin Pilley 448441
Assistant Director, Planning and Building Services
Notes to editors
Policy BE12 of the 2002 Island Plan enables voluntary contributions to public art to be secured as part of development proposals through negotiation.Successful implementation of a percent for art policy in Sheffield has resulted in the commissioning of over 150 public art commissions since 1985.Attachments
Supplementary Planning Guidance: Percentage for ArtDocument Type: 
Size: 150.5 KB
Percentage for Art: response to consultationDocument Type: Size: 75 KB
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