09 July 2008
Senator Freddie Cohen has launched the Island Plan Strategic Options Paper and is inviting Islanders to express their views about the major planning issues that Jersey will need to address over the next ten years.
The Island Plan Strategic Options Paper is an early but important step in the preparation of a new, up-to-date planning framework for the Island. The existing Island Plan 2002 needs updating to reflect Jersey’s changing economic, social and environmental circumstances.
Senator Cohen, the Minister for Planning and Environment said: “The Island faces a number of key choices in relation to planning issues. For example, how do we meet the demand for housing and yet protect our green zones? What sort of development should we permit to allow our tourism and agricultural industries to flourish? How do we respond to changes in our population?”
“The Strategic Options Paper poses a series of questions about these issues and I want as many people as possible – young and old - to tell us what they think the answers should be.”
Feedback from the Strategic Options Paper will be used to shape the draft Island Plan, which will be published in early 2009. The draft Plan will then be subject to further consultation and a formal public examination by an independent inspector prior to being presented to the States for debate later that year.
The 2002 Island Plan will continue to provide the planning policy regime for the Island until the new Plan is approved.
People can submit their views via a new online consultation system at
http://consult.gov.je/portal. Hard copies are available from the Planning and Environment Department offices at South Hill and Howard Davis Farm. The consultation deadline is 02 October 2008. A series of workshops and open surgeries about the Strategic Option Paper will be held during the consultation period.
ENDS
Contacts Senator Freddie Cohen
Minister for Planning and Environment t. 07797 714550
Chris Newton
Island Plan Project Executive t. 441610
gov.je