Car Park, People's Park, Route de St. Aubin, St. Helier

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A decision made (20.09.06) to maintain refusal for planning permission for the car park, People's Park, Route de St. Aubin, St. Helier.

Subject:	Car Park, People's Park, La Route de St. Aubin, St. Helier Replacing an existing timber sign board with a new aluminium board (of the same appearance).
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2007-0112	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:		P/2006/0799
Written Report Title:	REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION of refusal of planning permission.	Written report – Author:		Anthony Farman
Decision(s To uphold the refusal of the planning application
Reason(s) for decision: Proposal is contrary to the policies of the Island Plan and no other material considerations outweighed the provisions of the Plan.
Action required: Notify applicant of the decision
Signature: (Minister)			Date of Decision: 20.09.06

Car Park, People's Park, Route de St. Aubin, St. Helier - maintain refusal

Application Number: P/2006/0799

Request for Reconsideration Report

Site Address	Car Park, People's Park, La Route de St. Aubin, St. Helier.

Requested by	Parish Of St Helier	Agent	Parish Of St Helier

Description	Replacing an existing timber sign board with a new aluminium board (of the same appearance). REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION of refusal of planning permission.

Type	Planning

Original Decision	Refused

Reasons	1. The proposed sign board by virtue of its size, position and design is considered to be harmful to the character and appearance of the area contrary to Policy G18 of the Jersey Island Plan, 2002 and Planning Advice Note No.7.

Determined by	Delegated Refused

Date	09/06/2006

Zones	Important Open Space Built Up Area Town Proposals Map Island Rte Network: Primary

Policies	Policy G18 – Signs And Advertisements Control will continue to be exercised over the display of advertisements, signs and notice boards. Those requiring consent will only be permitted where they are well sited, suitably designed and in accordance with the relevant supplementary guidance. PAN No. 7 - Signs and Advertisements B4. 5. There will be a general presumption against the establishment of any new advertising stations in the Island, which will be restricted to existing sites. B4. 6. The removal, replacement or refurbishment of poorly maintained advertising stations is encouraged. Replacement advertisements will be judged on their individual merits, having regard to the general principles contained within the Island Plan and the polices contained within this advice note. Signs that would have an adverse impact on amenity or road safety will not normally be permitted.

Recommendation

Maintain refusal.

Advise that the proposed bollards are acceptable and would not be subject to a planning application.

Comments on Case	An advertising station or board existed on this site for over 35 years. It is likely that it was erected prior to the need for planning permission and was used in connection, at least in part, with the entertainment provided at the Inn on the Park. The Parish have stated that the board served as an “information centre” for events in St. Helier. Sometime during the previous few years the station was removed during the development of the Inn on the Park site. The Parish maintain that the advertisement station is not “new” given that the previous one was removed due to its poor condition. However, due to its removal, the use of the site as an advertisement station no longer exists. Therefore, the erection of a new advertising station is contrary to Policy G13 and PAN No.7. Even if the use had remained on the site, PAN No. 7 states that the removal, replacement or refurbishment of poorly maintained advertising stations is to be encouraged. Given that the board does not relate to any use on the site (the use is a car park) then it is likely that its removal would have been sought and any application to replace an advertising board would be refused. The Parish raises the important issue of fly posting in the town centre. It is unlikely that the proposed site would overcome this problem given that it is not in the town centre and does not have a comparatively high numbers of pedestrians walking past. Therefore, fly posting in the town centre is unlikely to be significantly effected by the proposed board. It is reasonable to refer to item B8 (Free Standing Signs) however the Department views the 10m long board as harmful to the appearance and character of the area. The previous board was, in terms of its appearance, part of the Inn on the Park site. The proposed board will have no such visual relationship with the area due to the development of the Inn on the Park site, the board’s size and the chosen materials. It is however, reasonable to state that the advertising board will not an adverse effect on highway safety.

Recommendation	Maintain refusal. Advise that the proposed bollards are acceptable and would not be subject to a planning application.

Reason	As above.

Background Papers	1:2500 Site Plan Letter from the Parish of St. Helier dated 18th July 2006.

Endorsed by		Date