12 September 2006
23 August 2005
The latest joint review of Jersey’s housing situation by the Environment and Public Services and Housing Committees shows a steady improvement since the 2002 Island Plan was adopted and the original targets for new homes were set. The States Strategic Aim that everyone living in the Island should have the opportunity of a decent home is steadily being achieved.
The findings come from the recent Housing Needs Survey, published by the States Statistics Unit, which informed of Islanders’ estimated accommodation requirements between now and 2009.
Senator Philip Ozouf, President of Environment and Public Services, said: “Performance in meeting identified requirements for new homes has been impressive since the beginning of 2002 and, once again, there is a healthy availability of land for housing in view of the identified needs for the five years to the end of 2009. Indeed, the evidence for outstanding commitments suggests that the overall revised targets for new homes until the end of 2009, under various potential scenarios, can be met without the need for any large scale release of additional land at this time.”
Meeting the need for social rented and first-time buyer homes will continue to depend on the delivery of homes on land zoned under Policy H2 of the Island Plan, in an appropriate time frame and at efficient density.
However, ensuring that sufficient sheltered accommodation is provided to meet identified requirements is likely to require the release of some additional land, which in turn will require a full public consultation exercise.
Senator Ozouf explained: “Despite the current healthy land availability, there remains no room for complacency. Our Committees are keen to ensure that this position is maintained so we must begin immediately a series of public consultations at relevant parishes on the sites which appear most suitable to address outstanding needs for sheltered housing.”
Both Committees remain determined to ensure the community’s housing needs are properly addressed and will persevere in their efforts to ensure adequate, quality housing is provided at an affordable price. They remain acutely aware of the constraints faced, most notably, the high degree of resistance to new housing developments from nearby residents, which is often despite the prior approval for residential development. The process of progressing development proposals on zoned land, especially for Category A housing, continues to be protracted.
The need remains to efficiently manage States resources to ensure an effective and timely response to changes arising from the Strategic Plan, Housing Committee policies, the new migration policy and changing social trends.
ENDS
Editor’s notes:
The States Rental waiting list had risen slightly at the end of July 2005 and stood at 271. The forecast for the end of the year is 250 (from the Planning for Homes review).
The number of new (and eligible) applications for States Rental accommodation by the end of July was 235. The forecast for the end of 2005 is 350.
Demand for larger dwellings remains strong – the combined waiting and transfer lists give a total of 150 needing three or four-bedroom dwellings.
For more information:
Senator Philip Ozouf, E&PS Committee President. Telephone 07797 713838
Deputy Terry Le Main, Housing Committee President. Telephone 720040
Peter Thorne, Director of Planning. Telephone 601402
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