21 February 2008
20 February 2008
Planning and Environment Minister Senator Freddie Cohen has released for consultation a White Paper and new supplementary planning guidance on how to deal with changes to Jersey’s protected historic buildings whilst keeping them in good condition and viable use.
The guidance seeks to raise awareness about the character and quality of historic buildings and how best to conserve them whilst they remain in viable use. Jersey ’s built heritage – its old houses, commercial buildings, fortifications and other structures – make a huge contribution to the feel and character of the Island . Unsympathetic or inappropriate changes to these buildings and structures can erode or threaten this and the regime for their protection needs to be clear and robust so that everyone understands what is protected and why.
Launching this consultation Planning Minister Senator Freddie Cohen said “I believe that this guidance will be of tremendous assistance and value to owners, architects and agents, in setting out exactly the sorts of issues that my department and I will need to consider when we deal with proposals affecting historic buildings. I want to make it clear, however, that I will use this guidance in a practical and pragmatic way.”
“Old buildings need a viable use for their future to be assured and this guidance is important because it will help raise awareness about the features and qualities of historic buildings that make them special, and provide an easily understandable and accessible basis for discussion and decision making. I very much welcome its publication as a draft for consultation and would urge the development industry to review it so that we can begin to make use of the invaluable information that it contains,” he added.
The detailed guidance is based on tried and tested principles of historic building conservation developed and refined in England and Wales – but with amendments and adaptations to reflect Jersey ’s particular architectural features and buildings. It is hoped that the adoption and application of these principles will help to safeguard the special character of Jersey ’s most valued buildings, whilst ensuring that they can adapt and respond to the changes demanded of them in the 21st century.
The new guidance also seeks to consolidate and clarify the current planning policy regime that applies to protected historic buildings.
The consultation period lasts until 11 April 2008
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