Vehicular access onto Francis Street.

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (15/09/2006) regarding Consideration of the highways implications of a Planning application involving a new vehicular access on to Francis Street from No. 47 La Colomberie.

Subject:	Consideration of the highways Implications of a Planning Application involving a new vehicular Access onto Francis Street from No.47 Colomberie
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2006-0076		Exempt clause(s):	None
Type of Report: (oral or written)	written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a		Report File ref:	I:Minister:2006:Ministerial Decisions:MD 00 Francis Street
Written report – Title	Consideration of the highways Implications of a Planning Application involving a new vehicular Access onto Francis Street from No.47 Colomberie
Written report – Author	David St George – Manager - Transport Policy
Decision(s): Support a planning application for a parking area with vehicular access onto Francis Street, subject to an absolute limit in use of 4 parking spaces, not suitable for customer parking, improvements and repairs being carried out to adjacent walls and railings, at the applicant’s expense, and a small area of footpath being sold to the public.
Reason(s) for decision: The application would be unacceptable if a road improvement proposal had been carried out. The road improvement scheme has proved unachievable due to the following: -  Refusal of the Parish of St Helier to relocate a Parish Pump (decision of the Parish assembly)  Refusal from the owner of a parcel of land to sell a small area of land between No. 7 Francis Street and Bourne House for the widening (that owner being the current applicant).  Opposition from the Planning and Environment Department to the removal of a front terrace with low wall and railings at No.7. Furthermore the road improvement is not considered essential, and the current application offers an opportunity to bring about a long overdue visual improvement.
Action required: Advise the Planning and Environment Department accordingly.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 15 September 2006

Vehicular access onto Francis Street.

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Consideration of the highways Implications of a Planning Application involving a new vehicular Access onto Francis Street from No.47 Colomberie

Purpose of the Report

The comments of the Highway Authority have been sought by the Planning and Environment Department with regard to an application to convert an area of garden into a car park for 4 cars at the rear of No.47 Colomberie, with an access onto Francis Street (see attached plan). The highway authority would be able to support the application assuming that a previous road widening proposal is not carried out. The purpose of this report is to advise the Minister of the officers’ recommendation to abandon the road widening and support the Planning application.

Background

Francis Street has previously been subject to a road improvement plan and over several years properties have been redeveloped and land purchased which enabled partial implementation of the proposed road widening scheme.

In the 2002 Island Plan a number of road improvement proposals were abandoned, including that for Francis Street. The Planning and Environment Committee undertook to review a number of the abandoned improvements with the appropriate Highway Authority, following any relevant traffic studies. The south east part of the St Helier ring road is an area identified in the Island Plan as an area requiring investigation.

Discussion

Although no further studies have been carried out since publication of the 2002 Island Plan, the Francis Street area has been subject to previous investigations which have failed to identify any positive proposals for change. The road improvement would not enable Francis Street to be widened to a width which would safely accommodate two way traffic. Its widening would therefore provide better footpath and carriageway width but would not lead to significant improvements to traffic flow in the area.

The road has been widened at its northern end due to a redevelopment of Bourne House (No.s 1 to 5 Francis Street). Buildings have been set back at the southern end of Francis Street which will enable a road improvement to assist large vehicles to turn the corner into Francis Street, and to widen the footpath on the west side. This work is subject to TTS prioritisation of minor road improvement works.

Road widening along the remaining middle section of Francis Street is unlikely to be achieved due to the following: -

 Refusal of the Parish of St Helier to relocate a Parish Pump (decision of the Parish assembly)

 Refusal from the owner of a parcel of land to sell a small area of land between No 7 Francis Street and Bourne House for the widening (that owner being the current applicant).

 Opposition from the Planning and Environment Department to the removal of a front terrace with low wall and railings at No.7.

On the assumption that no road widening is carried out in the vicinity of the proposed access, the application can be supported conditionally. It is essential that the car parking area is used for only four cars as shown on the application plan. Any additional number would result in vehicles being unable to turn on site and therefore reversing out onto a busy section of the ring road.

To gain safe visibility, a wall in States ownership would require lowering. A small radius could be provided on the wall to facilitate the turn into the site. This in turn would require the railings to be altered. As the railings are in need of repair, this would be an appropriate time to repair, or replace as appropriate, the entire section of railings. The combination of works should secure a significant visual improvement to an area which has suffered from neglect. At the same time a connecting wall which screens the Parish pump could be lowered to enable the public to appreciate its presence. It is intended that the applicant should fund these works if his application is successful

A small area of footpath at the front of the proposed access aligns with the public footpath to the north and should be taken into public ownership to ensure its future use as such.

Conclusion

The likelihood of completing the road improvement is remote and the improvement is not essential. The application can therefore be conditionally supported.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to forward the following comments to the Planning Department with respect to this application

 The parking area must be strictly limited to 4 spaces (not therefore suitable for customer parking)

 The applicant to arrange and fund the lowering of the adjacent wall with radius, refurbishment of railings, and lowering of wall surrounding the Parish pump.

 The applicant to sell the small area of footpath to the public (for a nominal amount) where the proposed access meets Francis Street.

Reason(s) for Decision

The proposals will bring about a long overdue visual improvement, as well as a resolution to a long standing road widening proposal, which is not essential and has proved unachievable.

Action Required

Advise the Planning and Environment Department accordingly.

Written by:	David St George

Approved by:	Chris Sampson Director - Municipal Services

Attachments:

A4 plan

35/13/1 25/14/1

4th Sept 06