Next step for Island Plan

27 January 2014

The next step towards amending Jersey's policies on protecting the countryside, using the Island's resources wisely, and regenerating urban areas is expected to take place come next month.

A report into proposed changes to the 2011 Island Plan, which sets those policies, is expected to be released during the week of Monday 17 February.

The Planning and Environment Minister, Deputy Rob Duhamel, wants to update sections of the 2011 Island Plan, mainly to address the need for affordable homes. At a planning inquiry (called an ‘Examination in Public’) which ended last week, the Minister’s proposals were reviewed by two independent UK planning inspectors to enable them to understand all the issues in an open and frank discussion.

Wide-ranging consultation

A wide range of people spoke to the inspectors during the Examination in Public, which ran from 14 to 23 January. Alternative views to those presented in the Minister's draft consultation document were presented and the inspectors have now gone away to review all the information before submitting a final report in February.

Deputy Duhamel said “I would like to thank everyone that took the time and effort to take part in the examination in public and to play their part in shaping our Island community.

“Planning has an important and long lasting impact of our landscape and quality of life. There are few black and white answers to the challenges our community faces in planning terms, but I hope this inquiry has gone some way to highlighting the many and varied complexities of planning and allow people to express their point of view.”

During the Examination in Public, the inspectors, Chris Shepley and Alan Langton, invited people involved in planning, the environment, heritage, architecture, and the building industry to give their views. Others interested in the issues, and those directly affected by some of the proposed changes, also participated, as did some States Members.

Next steps

The next steps towards amending the 2011 Island Plan are:

Week commencing 17 February	The inspectors formally release their final report
March 2014	Planning Minister to lodge a report and proposition in the States with final proposals on changes to the plan
March - April 2014	States Members will have six weeks to submit further potential amendments
March - June 2014	If there are amendments submitted that have not already been discussed at the Examination in Public, a second (more limited) Examination in Public is required within the 12 week lodging period
June 2014	States debate