Planning law - next steps

20 September 2016

The latest stage in work to update Jersey’s planning laws has been announced.

The Minister for the Environment is carrying out a full review of the permitted development law in stages. This legislation governs what you can and can’t do without planning permission.

Deputy Steve Luce has asked people for their views and in response, has already lifted planning restrictions in a number of areas. Many minor changes to homes and businesses now don’t need planning permission (people will need to consider building bye-law permission).

More recently, the Minister asked people for views on deregulation in more contentious or complex areas, such as buildings like bus shelters, livestock shelters, and work to listed buildings and places.

After taking account of people’s views, he has now published his latest decisions on changes to the permitted development law and instructed work to start to allow minor changes to non-listed buildings.

Changes that will take effect once the laws have been drafted include:

• no permission will be needed to erect temporary open-sided field shelters for livestock
• retractable awnings will be allowed at the back of houses and on flats and certain other buildings at ground floor only
• no permission will be needed to put up a security camera under certain conditions

However, there will be more restrictions on public providers for work above ground in public spaces such as bus shelters.

As a result of the range of views about listed buildings, Deputy Luce will take more time to consider this issue further and will consult again on proposed changes in this area.

Permitted Development is outlined in three different orders that are made by the Minister, and set out what people can do without making an application for planning permission. Earlier this year, restrictions were lifted in a number of areas, following changes governing Permitted Development. It means many minor changes to homes and businesses no longer need permission.

Summary of consultation responses

Minister’s direction paper on non-listed buildings (225kb)