PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
Sites of Special Interest Listing
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is to ask the Minister to:
1. approve the proposal to include the places set out below:-
i) Île Agois SSI, St Mary
ii) Belle Hougue Caves SSI, Trinity
on the List of Sites of Special Interest by reason of their special interest as defined in the attached schedule, under the provisions of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002; and
2. approve the serving of the Intention to List Notices in accord with the requirements of the Law.
Background and discussion
Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 states:
(1) The Minister shall maintain a list, called the List of Sites of Special Interest.
(2) The Minister shall include on the List each building or place that the Minister is satisfied has public importance by reason of –
(a) its special zoological, ecological, botanical or geological interest; or
(b) the special archaeological, architectural, artistic, historical, scientific or traditional interest that attaches to the building or place.
(3) On the List the Minister shall, in respect of each site of special interest –
(a) specify the site’s special interest;
(b) describe the site either in words or by reference to a plan, or both, with sufficient particularity to enable it to be easily identified;
(c) if the site relates to the habitat of a wild creature or a plant, specify the type of habitat; and
(d) specify any activity referred to in Article 55(1) which may be undertaken on the site without the Minister’s permission.
(4) The Minister shall make the List available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours.
(5) The Minister shall remove a building or place from the List if the Minister is satisfied that its special interest has ceased to exist.
(6) At least 28 days before doing so the Minister shall serve a notice of the Minister’s intention to do so.
(7) The notice shall be served –
(a) on the owner of the building; or
(b) by displaying it in a conspicuous place in or near the building or place.
The attached notices describe the sites, their location both in words and on a map, and the justification for their inclusion on the list, in accordance with legal requirements.
In accordance with the Law, the notices of intention will be served by post on the owners.
The Law provides that following the service of notice of intention a period of 28 days is allowed to appeal the decision. A further report will be brought back to the Minister relative to any representations received.
Relevant Local Strategies and Plans
Strategic Plan 2006 - 2011
Listing of Sites of Special Interest complies with:
· Commitment 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 implement the five Environmental Priorities in the Executive Summary of the “The State of Jersey – a report on the condition of Jersey’s environment (January 2005)” and the “Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey”,
· Commitment 4.5. Increase in the number of Sites of Special Interest (SSI) registered and SSIs and other conservation designations are respected and such sites are protected from damage and development
· Commitment 4.5.2 Designate a further seven ecological, ten geological sites and additional archaeological, architectural or historic Sites of Special Interest in 2006
Planning and Environment Business Plan
Business Plan ref E2 KPI and Target : Achieve full designation of proposed SSIs
Recommendation
That the Minister approves the listing of the places listed above.
Written by: | M Freeman (Principal Ecologist) |
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Approved by: | Chris Newton (Director of environment ) |
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Attachments: Notices of intention to list, site plans, descriptions and justifications for:
i) Île Agois SSI, St Mary
ii) Belle Hougue Caves SSI, Trinity
2 December 2008
Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2008-0270