23 September 2016
The JSPCA has withdrawn its application to create an 88-unit dog kennel in the Green Zone in St Mary following Planning Committee concerns.
The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) applied (P/2016/0814) to establish dog kennels and related facilities for a maximum of 100 dogs by converting two barns that form part of a former dairy farm on La Rue de Crabbé. The JSPCA’s plans included a very high specification of acoustic insulation for the facility.
The JSPCA operates an animal shelter, taking in homeless or unwanted dogs, and is also a commercial kennel for day and long-term boarding of pet dogs. It has been looking at options for relocating from town to a purpose built facility for some time.
The Department for the Environment received nine letters of support and 60 letters objecting to the application. Most concerns centred on noise and increased traffic. Many residents attended yesterday’s Planning Committee meeting in person to express their views.
In its report, the Planning department stated that the application could be justified under the Island Plan as the re-use of a redundant site and recommended its approval. The Planning Committee expressed its support for the work of the JSPCA but members were concerned about the impact of extra traffic on the surrounding country lanes and possible noise from the dogs.
When the Planning department and the Planning Committee reach a different decision about an application, it usually comes back to the next meeting of the committee, so members can formally confirm their reasons for refusal, and then issue the decision notice. This morning, however, the applicant withdrew the application.
Design of town centre social housing project prompts refusal
An application (P/2016/0171) for 31 homes for young or single people in the centre of town was yesterday turned down by the Planning Committee on the grounds that the design was unsuitable.
CTJ Housing Trust applied to demolish 1-2 Minden Place (Scope Furnishings) and build a five-storey retail and residential development of social housing in a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, and three new commercial or retail units at ground level.
The Planning department report stated that the redevelopment of the existing site was an opportunity for new, much-needed, social housing in a highly sustainable town-centre location, and would help regenerate the area.
Planning Committee members said they supported the strong work and excellent reputation of CTJ Housing Trust, but were concerned about the scale, impact and design of the building in such a central location, and in particular, the use of brick in the design of the new building. They were also concerned about the lack of parking for the site, which they thought was unrealistic for its future residents.
Tamba Park retrospective permission agreed
The committee approved a retrospective application by the owner of Tamba Park for a number of operational changes to the visitor attraction in the St Lawrence Green Zone.
Tamba Park opened in 2015 on the site of the existing tourist attraction, the Lion Park. The application (P/2016/0503) asked for permission for the following
- aviaries
- storage buildings
- cafe and seating area
- various animatronic sculptures
- children's play area
- fence and acoustic fence to boundaries
The application also requested permission to change the use of land for a car park.
The application attracted eight letters, one of which supported the proposals. Objections centred on noise and traffic generated by the attraction.
At its meeting yesterday the Planning Committee accepted it was dealing with some operational changes to an existing visitor attraction and that some concerns expressed by nearby residents related to the existing site. However, they acknowledged concerns about the management of noise from the site and applied restrictions on future noise levels.
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