Planning to safeguard archaeology

13 October 2006

Important parts of Jersey’s past could be given greater protection if new planning guidelines to identify and safeguard the Island’s archaeology are adopted by the Planning and Environment Minister Senator Freddie Cohen .

A policy which helps to protect archaeological remains that are under threat from development was included in the 2002 Island Plan. The Planning and Environment Minister has now issued draft Supplementary Planning Guidance, which sets out how the policy can be applied to development projects where there is likely to be some archaeological value.

“In many cases, archaeology is the key to understanding our past and it is important that the Island’s most important archaeological assets are given the protection that they deserve” said Senator Cohen. “And this should not be viewed as an additional burden for developers” he added “By seeking to identify, assess and define the Island’s archaeological resources, we can help developers by removing some of the uncertainty that they might otherwise face.”

The draft guidance is being published as a discussion paper for consultation and is available from Planning and Building Services at South Hill and on www.gov.je. Comments are invited from anyone with an interest and should be sent to Kevin Pilley at Planning and Building Services, South Hill, St Helier or k.pilley@gov.je.

Contacts

Senator Freddie Cohen 07797 714550

Minister for Planning and Environment

Notes to editors

Policy G12 of the 2002 Island Plan requires an archaeological evaluation to be carried out for development proposals which may affect archaeological remains.

Consultation period extends from 13 October – 24 November 2006