20 February 2015
Three developments at Havre des Pas which together would create a total of 133 new homes were yesterday considered by the Planning Applications Panel.
The proposals were for 88 extra affordable homes at La Collette flats, 37 new flats on the site of the Fort d'Auvergne Hotel, and eight new flats on the site of the Sierra Madre Villas.
The panel approved the Fort d'Auvergne Hotel application (RC/2014/1359) but turned down the La Collette Flats and Sierra Madre applications because of concerns about their scale and the impact on neighbours. Both applications had been supported by the Planning department and so will be referred automatically to the Minister for review.
La Collette flats
The panel had specific concerns about the application (PP/2014/1872) by Andium Homes for outline permission to redevelop La Collette Flats, in Green Street. The 1960s grade 4 listed flats are made up of five low rise blocks of 59 homes and the application was to replace them with five new blocks with 147 affordable homes, creating additional 88 new homes.
Under the current Island Plan, the flats are in an area where the development of new homes is strongly encouraged. A planning officer report on the application states that among the issues that should be considered when reviewing applications for listed buildings is the community benefit of the new development.
The report also stated that the new flats would provide better quality affordable accommodation for people and improve Jersey’s public housing stock, and that there would be a more useable public space for residents of the flats.
The panel, which voted three to one against the proposal, acknowledged these points but expressed concern about the scale of one of the replacement buildings - block D - and its impact on neighbours.
Sierra Madre
An application (P/2014/1936) to build a three and a half storey apartment block with eight flats was also refused by the panel. The applicant wanted to demolish 1 and 2, Sierra Madre Villas, Havre des Pas, which are two two-storey, flat-roofed, semi-detached houses.
The buildings are in an area designated as a Built Up Area, where the Island Plan strongly encourages new residential development.
An officer report on the proposal noted the increase in the footprint of the proposed building but stated that the scheme, with its traditional design, would fit comfortably with the existing buildings at Havre des Pas.
Nearby residents raised objections citing the Island Plan which asks developers to ensure that any new development does not unreasonably the harm the amenities of neighbours.
The panel, which voted three members to one against the application, had the challenge of balancing the concerns of neighbours against making the best use of the site. Members were concerned about the rear of the proposed new building, the impact on existing neighbours and car parking issues.
Fort D’Auvergne Hotel
Permission for 37 apartments on the site of the Fort D’Auvergne Hotel was originally given in 2009 but work hasn’t yet started and the permit was due to expire. The owners applied to extend the time for the work to start. The panel had reconsidered the proposal in the light of current planning policies and approved a five-year extension.
Extension for Waterfront flats permission
The States of Jersey Development Company (SoJDC) was also given an extension on planning permission (P/2009/1462) for a site called Zephyrus, near the Radisson Hotel on the Waterfront. SoJDC received permission to build 59 apartments in five blocks in 2010. The panel gave SoJDC another three years to start the project.
Driveway on field refused
A proposal by a St Martin householder to extend a driveway into a field was turned down. The application (P/2014/2199) for Treetops, La Rue de la Fontaine St Martin requested a change of use of agricultural land to domestic curtilage.
The panel were concerned that despite potential safety benefits, the proposal was against Island Plan policy of protecting agricultural land from development. This decision reflects strong Island Plan support from the panel to protect agricultural land and prevent erosion of the countryside little by little.
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