06 November 2015
The La Collette Flats planning application (PP/2015/0747) will be considered by the Planning Applications Committee at its public planning meeting on Thursday 12 November 2015.
The application submitted by Andium Homes for the redevelopment of La Collette Flats in Green Street seeks permission to demolish the existing 5 low rise blocks containing 59 housing units and the construction of 5 larger blocks providing 147 new affordable homes.
States proposition
The development of La Collette Flats was the focus of a States proposition (P.78/2015) lodged by Deputy Russell Labey in July 2015. The proposition requested that the Minister for Planning and Environment ensures that any development of La Collette Low Rise upholds and maintains the protected open space status of the existing green space on the site between La Collette Low Rise and its border with Green Street. The proposition was debated by the States on 8 September 2015 and 22 States members voted in favour of the proposition (pour) and 19 against (contre).
As highlighted during the States debate by the Minister for Planning and Environment (and other members), the States of Jersey is not the forum for considering planning applications. The Assembly elected the Planning Applications Committee to carry out this function. Members of that Committee have been trained in that regard and have adopted a Code of Conduct on the manner in which they discharge their functions.
Planning decision
Committee members should be given an unfettered opportunity to take the decisions which have been passed to them. This will give the best opportunity for a sound planning decision, which will take into account those matters which are relevant to the consideration of the application and, of course, discount those which are not. Deputy Labey’s successful proposition is a representation on the planning application by the Assembly, and will be considered at the public meeting of the Planning Applications Committee.
There is a legal obligation that planning applications are determined and the applicant has requested that their application is progressed to conclusion. The Planning Applications Committee will appraise the La Collette Flats application against the policies set out in the States agreed Island Plan, considering all the detailed evidence and submissions that have been made.
Link to La Collette Flats planning application (click on ILAP Officer report/assessment sheet PAC 00 OFFICERS REPORT)
Island Plan information
The States Assembly approved a revised Island Plan in July 2014. It sets out a new housing strategy for the Island to meet the need for affordable homes and provides a stronger and clearer policy to better protect Jersey’s most sensitive coastal and countryside landscapes. It also includes a policy for the Coastal National Park, to protect the most sensitive parts of Jersey’s coast and countryside.
The Revised Island Plan was the subject of an extensive process of scrutiny and review in the process leading up to its adoption, including public consultation and review by independent Planning inspectors.
The Island Plan is the foundation for all planning decisions in Jersey, and is underpinned by a strategy to direct new development into more built up areas, and away from the countryside (policy H6).
Careful balance
The policies are detailed and, as may be expected, often pull in different directions. This is not at all unusual. The role of the Planning Department and the Planning Applications Committee is to assess and carefully balance the impacts of an application with its benefits.
The Planning and Environment Minister is charged with producing and administering the Island Plan on behalf of the government.
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