Policy Considerations NE 6 Coastal National Park The site is located within the Coastal National Park (CNP) which is to be given the highest level of protection from development. The CNP policy is to be given priority over all other planning considerations and there is the strongest presumption against all forms of new development. However, the policy does state that the redevelopment of existing residential buildings may be permissible where this would give rise to demonstrable environmental gains and where it would make a positive contribution to the repair and restoration of the landscape character of the area. The policy states that this is to be achieved by a reduction in thee visual impact of the buildings and an improvement in their design which is more sensitive to the character of the area and local relevance. GD1 General Development Considerations Policy GD1 outlines the general considerations against which all planning applications will be tested. Broadly speaking, the policy highlights the need for the following; ensuring the sustainability of all new development proposals; assessing their impact on the surrounding environment and neighbouring land users; understanding the travel and transport implications of new developments, and; ensuring consideration is given to the design and architecture of all new developments. These issues are covered in more detail within specific policies of the Plan. GD2 Demolition and Replacement of Buildings In broad terms, this policy aims to promote a culture of re-use of buildings rather than demolition and rebuilding and developers should examine the potential of existing buildings to be incorporated into new developments. Proposals for demolition and for demolition and replacement will need to be properly considered and justified. Sustainability considerations that need to be applied when contemplating the re-use or the demolition and redevelopment of buildings include; the amount and types of waste for disposal to landfill; the life-time energy capital of a building and future energy conservation; and maintenance issues. The policy also reiterates the need to ensure efficient and effective use of resources, including land. In addition, the policy also requires that the Minister take into account the design qualities and contribution that existing and proposed development makes towards the character and appearance of the site and its context. GD7 Design Quality The policy requires a high quality of design that respects, conserves and contributes positively to the diversity and distinctiveness of the landscape and the built context, to be sought in all developments. Scale, form, massing & siting, the relationship to existing buildings, settlement form & character, topography, design details, colours & finishes and landscaping are all critical factors to consider. SP7 Better by Design This policy states that all development must be of high design quality that maintains and enhances the character and appearance of the area of Jersey in which it is located. The various components of development, including: layout and form; elevational treatment and appearance; density and mix; scale; height and massing; external elements, and landscaping; and architectural detail and materials will be assessed to ensure that the development proposed makes a positive contribution to the locality. The use of either traditional or more innovative forms of modern architecture of the highest quality will be encouraged in locations where the setting and context are appropriate, and where areas of particular quality or local character will not be damaged but may be enhanced. NR1 Protection of Water Resources The site is located within the Water Pollution Safeguard Area. This policy states that development that would have an unacceptable impact on the aquatic environment, including surface water and groundwater quality and quantity, will not be permitted. Policy Conclusion In this instance, whilst the existing building may not be up to modern standards of energy efficiency, it is clearly in a reasonable condition and one of the broad policy aims of the 2011 Island Plan is to promote the re-use of existing buildings where possible. This broad aim must be viewed in the context of the site’s location within the Coastal National Park where the overall aim is to protect and enhance scenic quality and the natural environment. The Coastal National Park policy (Policy NE6) sets the strongest presumption against development and gives the Park the highest level of protection from development. However, the Island Plan does recognise that the Park is a living landscape with many existing buildings and land uses within it, and it is recognised that there may be opportunities to actually improve the Coastal National Park through redevelopment – particularly if this achieves improvements to the landscape, reductions in impact and improvements in design. As already noted, Policy NE6 states that the redevelopment of existing residential buildings may be allowed as an exception but only where it is demonstrated that it would give rise to demonstrable environmental gains, and make a positive contribution to the repair and restoration of the landscape character of the area by a reduction in their visual impact and an improvement in the design of the buildings that is more sensitive to the character of the area and local relevance. In this instance, the department believes that the applicants have made a strong case in support of their application and that the scheme has merit. As proposed, the redevelopment of the site would result in a high quality building which would be built to the latest environmental standards. Architecturally, the design uses a muted and naturalistic palette of materials which would reduce the visual impact when compared to the stark white render of the existing building; furthermore, the relocation of the building footprint will allow for the new house to be set slightly lower within the site which also helps reduce visual impact. Finally, considerable attention has been given to the restoration of the ‘dunescape’ environment across the site including a natural sedum roof which would be planted with species appropriate to the environment. These points are covered more fully below. The previous Minister’s commitment to the applicants that he would be minded to favourably consider a scheme for a high quality replacement dwelling is also a relevant consideration. On balance, therefore, in policy terms (subject to full consideration of issues such as design quality and impact on neighbours), the department does believe that demolition and redevelopment can be justified. This is a balanced recommendation, however, and the current Minister may take a different view. Land Use Implications This is clearly a very sensitive site, adjacent to the Les Blanches Banques ecological SSI to the east and south. However, it is an established residential site and so its redevelopment for residential use is not unreasonable per se in land use terms. Size, Scale & Siting The applicants have stated within the submitted Design Statement that their intention has been to develop a new house which takes into account the sensitive nature of the site and which responds to the surrounding landscape – “fitting snugly into the topography of the site”. The complete relocation of the building footprint to the south as proposed, and the reorientation of the property, is intended to achieve this by using the natural contours and screening of the site. The design statement claims that a number of benefits are achieved by relocating the buildings. It states that the new structure would be lower than the ridge height of the existing house thereby reducing the visibility of the site from important viewpoints across the bay. Moreover, this relocation would increase the distance from, and therefore be of benefit to, neighbouring properties. The department has some concern at the principle of relocating the building as proposed inasmuch as it extends the overall built form of this small enclave of development further out towards the sensitive landscape setting of the sand dunes. However, this is a residential site and the redevelopment is taking place entirely within an established domestic curtilage. Moreover, the improvements to building design & appearance, and the re-introduction of dune landscaping throughout the site, which will result from this development are compelling factors. Overall therefore, and again on balance, the department does not believe that the relocation of the building as proposed is necessarily problematic. The original proposal was for a much larger dwelling (in terms of absolute floor area). Following discussions, the size was reduced considerably and the scheme was re-advertised. Part of the new dwelling is effectively below-ground. The department is now broadly satisfied with the quantum of development proposed. Design & Use of Materials The overall architectural approach of the scheme has been the subject of discussions between the applicants’ agent and the department over the course of the application process and changes have been made (and re-advertised) in that time. Architecturally, the approach has been to use a muted and naturalistic palette of materials throughout including; stratified granite cladding (similar to that used to good effect recently at Durrell); pre-patinated copper panelling & brise-soleils; dark grey aluminium windows; limestone; natural sedum roof. The overall effect will be to reduce the visual impact of the development when compared to the stark white render of the existing building. One of the changes made to the design has been the simplification of the new building, emphasising its horizontality. The Department Architect has been closely involved with the scheme and is satisfied with the proposed scheme. Impact on Neighbours The Minister will note that a number of letters of objection have been received from nearby neighbours. The main concerns are to do with the size of the house and the principle of redevelopment, although some concerns with regard to possible over-looking have been raised. Having assessed the scheme, the department does not believe that the development would have an unreasonable impact on the general residential amenity of any neighbouring property and, indeed, the relocation of the dwelling away from its current location would be of significant benefit to the immediate neighbour to the north-west. The nearest other neighbouring property, to the immediate west of the site, would be around 45-50m away from the new house, a comfortable distance at which the department would not consider overlooking to be a problem. Access, Car parking and Highway Considerations There are no significant highway concerns. Ample parking is to be provided on site. Foul Sewage Disposal To mains drains Landscaping issues A good landscaping scheme will be critical to the success of the development and the application is accompanied by a landscape strategy document from a landscape architect. This document stresses that the landscaping scheme has been designed to respond to its coastal surroundings through the use of plant species typical of the dunes and the intention is to restore a large area of the site back to dune land. A buffer zone comprising native species planting would also be created; this would provide a more appropriate boundary between the suburban edge of the site and the surrounding dunes. The garden area will be allowed to return to a dune-land condition with the re-establishment of dune flora and fauna. Similarly, the ‘green roof’ will be seeded using native seeds. Other Material Considerations None |