Field 873, La Rue de Haut, St. Lawrence: Planning Application (P/2014/0672): Determination of Minister

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A decision made 13 October 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2014-0092			Application Number: P/2014/0672 (If applicable)
Decision Summary Title :	Field No. 873, La Rue de Haut, St Lawrence, Jersey		Date of Decision Summary:		10th October 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Planner		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:		n/a
Written Report Title :	Officer Report – P/2014/0672		Date of Written Report:		05th September 2014 (date of public Ministerial meeting)
Written Report Author:	Planner		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Subject: Field No. 873, La Rue de Haut, St Lawrence, Jersey Construct 5 No. first time buyer dwellings, 1 No. social rented dwelling and 4 No. social rented apartments. Associated landscaping.
Decision(s): The Minister resolved to refuse Planning Permission for the proposed development, for the following reason; It is acknowledged that the site is located within the Built Up Area wherein the development of new houses will normally be permitted. It is further acknowledged that the site is zoned as a Category A Housing site, within the 2011 Island Plan. However, in this instance, by virtue of its overall design, format and layout (including the provision for access), the application would result in a development which makes inefficient use of the site, and which fails to ensure that the site is developed to its highest reasonable density, as required under the Island Plan. Moreover, it is considered that the proposed development does not respond well to the topography and context of the site, and that it would have a negative impact upon the built and natural character of the surrounding area. For these reasons, the application fails to satisfy the requirements of Policies GD 1, GD 3, GD 7, SP 7 and H 6 of the 2011 Jersey Island Plan.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister considered the application at a public meeting on 05th September 2014, at which time he heard representations from both the applicants and a number of local residents who object to the scheme. He deferred the application for a site visit, requesting that the applicants erect a series of scaffolding profiles of various elements of the proposed scheme. The Minister also agreed that he would visit the property of one of the objectors, as part of this site visit. The case officer and the Minister visited the site on 17th September 2014 to view the scaffolding profiles from various locations within the immediate vicinity, including from the balcony / terrace of the objector. On 08th October, the case officer and the Minister re-visited the site to meet with another local resident who had unable to be present at the original site visit of 17th September. Having considered all relevant information including the plans & supporting documents, departmental report, all comments from the applicants and objectors, and consultee comments, the Minister resolved to refuse Planning Permission for the proposed development.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Issue Decision Notice. Notify Agent, Applicant and all other interested parties.
Signature: Deputy R C Duhamel		PLeg / AS Initials		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:				Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):