19 April 2021
Today (Monday 19 April) marks the start of a 12-week statutory public consultation on the draft bridging Island Plan, which will shape the future development of Jersey.
Every representation made as part of the consultation will be published and considered by the independent planning inspector, before the Plan is debated by the States Assembly in spring 2022.
The Plan touches on all areas of island life. All islanders can have their say on the new policies, and read all the evidence that they are based on, by going to www.gov.je/islandplan. Reference copies of the draft Plan will also be available from Parish Halls and the St Helier Library.
The Plan delivers the Government's Common Strategic Policy, and is designed to:
- make homes more affordable for islanders – building up to 1,500 new affordable homes by 2025 and improving the design and standard of new homes
- make town a better place to live – protecting open space, improving community facilities, and creating a new fund to invest in the public realm
- protect our special coasts, countryside, and marine areas – expanding the Coastal National Park and protecting the Island's unique character
- responding to the climate emergency and improving transport – with more energy-efficient buildings, support for renewable energy and carbon sequestration, and improvements to walking, cycling and the bus service
- support a sustainable economy – with more flexibility for retail innovation in town, support for tourism destinations, and time to better understand the impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit
Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Young, said: "This draft Island Plan is a giant step forward. It updates all our development policies and sets an ambitious vision to enhance Jersey as a special place, protect its environment and unique island identity; and provide the homes, employment and infrastructure that sustain family and community life.
"I want to encourage every Islander to get involved in the 12-week public consultation. Everyone should see this as an opportunity to have their say about the future of the Island and its development, not only in the coming years, but also how we might best respond to the long-term challenges that the Plan identifies.
"Participating in the consultation means your views will be considered by States Members and by the independent planning inspector later this year before the plan is debated in spring 2022.
"The bridging Island Plan is the start a great future for Jersey, and I want everyone to be involved."
Throughout May a series of online briefings will be held, and members of the Island Plan Review team will also attend in-person discussions in each of the Parishes.
A number of additional reports that form part of the core evidence base, have been published alongside the draft Island Plan. These include information about sites that were proposed and assessed as part of the Island Plan Review, as well as a Minerals, Waste and Water study and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. An appraisal of the overall sustainability of the draft Plan will be published in the coming weeks.
Further information and the consultation can be found at www.gov.je/islandplan.
gov.je