20 September 2013
Concerns about the density of 12 new homes planned for St Lawrence has prompted the Planning Applications Panel to refuse the application.
Developers wanted to build six social rented homes for the over 55s and six homes for first-time buyers on land rezoned for housing on La Rue de Haut, St Lawrence and 89 people signed a petition against the scheme.
Concerns raised at yesterday’s Planning Applications Panel included the density, height, and size of the proposed development and parking and access issues.
Panel members expressed concern about the cramped nature of the houses planned for the site, and that the lack of sufficient parking could encourage people to park on surrounding roads, leading to possible danger for road users.
Gorey hotel to become flats
A hotel used as staff accommodation is to be demolished and six flats built there instead. Tom Binet and Sherringon Limited want to knock down the Beach Hotel, on the coast road in Gorey.
Planning permission has already been given for six homes on the site. The new application is for what Planning consider to be an much improved design. The new building will be six apartments in a four storey building with covered parking.
Planning received six letters of complaint, referring to the proposed new building’s size, height, design and other concerns. However, the Planning Applications Panel agreed that the scheme is a marked improvement on the existing consent and gave it the go ahead.
Village green pavilion given the green light
Plans to build a pavilion on a field in the heart of St Martin's village were yesterday approved by the Panel after a lengthy debate about the location of the café.
The St Martin Village Green Committee asked for permission to build a pavilion with a café and changing facilities. Some neighbours were worried about possible disturbance from the café and suggested alternative locations.
The village green is categorised in the Island Plan as Protected Open Space in planning terms. In its accompanying report, the Planning department said that development would usually be restricted in this area, but they believed this development would improve the look and use of the green, and would be beneficial for parishioners.
Waterfront sleepers to go
The Jersey Development Company will have to remove wooden sleepers and bollards it put up on the Waterfront after the panel said there must be better way to improve road safety.
The Waterfront roads are not owned by the parish so parking control officers can’t issue tickets to motorists. Consequently, drivers were parking where they wanted to, causing safety risks. It is planned to transfer the roads to the ownership of St Helier in the spring of 2014, which will allow parish parking control officers to police and monitor parking.
The JDC had erected the bollards and sleepers in place without planning permission as a short term solution to this problem and was asking for retrospective permission to tide them over until the ownership’s sorted out.
The panel refused the permission, on the grounds that the white timber sleepers and bollards are not standard highway kit, they don’t fit in with the existing street furniture, and are not an appropriate way of controlling traffic. They asked the JDC to find a better way to manage parking in the area.
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