03 August 2016
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, has published the responses to a public consultation on what people can do to their home, garden or business without applying for planning permission (known as Permitted Development).
Earlier this year, planning restrictions were lifted in a number of areas, following changes governing Permitted Development. It means many minor changes to homes and businesses no longer need permission.
This next stage of a review of the planning law focused on more contentious or complex areas. Before deciding on changes to the law, the Minister asked people for their views on allowing minor work to go ahead without planning permission on a number of different buildings such as bus shelters, livestock shelters, and work to listed buildings and places.
There were 136 responses to the consultation from a range of individuals, groups and organisations including Société Jersiaise, National Trust for Jersey, Jersey Heritage, Construction Council, Chamber of Commerce, Association of Jersey Architects, and various States of Jersey departments.
Feedback
People’s feedback generally fell into two categories, listed buildings and non-listed buildings. For listed buildings, the general response was mixed: some supporting protection, some supporting de-regulation, and a majority who want greater relaxation than exists currently, but recognising some control is needed because of the importance of the Island’s listed buildings and places.
Many people said that non-listed structures in public areas or that are visible should be controlled (bus shelters, kiosks, livestock shelters). Respondents thought that structures that can’t be seen or which are on private land should be permitted (satellite dishes, security cameras, awnings, roof materials, hardstanding).
Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce thanked respondents, “It takes time and effort to respond to a public consultation and I’m grateful to those who’ve taken the trouble to get involved in these important planning issues.
“It’s clear that there are a wide range of views on the subject of listed buildings and places. It’s a difficult topic and so I’ve asked my officers to split this review into two groups, listed and non-listed buildings. When I came into office I said that I wanted to reduce red tape to let people get on with their lives. I believe that we can get on with changes to non-listed buildings quickly so I am instructing my officers to start drafting the new laws immediately.
“However, given the mix and strength of views on listed buildings, I will take more time to consider a change to the current system and once I have a proposed direction, I will consult again to be sure that we get it right.”
Permitted Development changes
Permitted Development is outlined in three different orders that are made by the Minister, and set out what people can do without making an application for planning permission. Earlier this year, restrictions were lifted in a number of areas, following changes governing Permitted Development. It means many minor changes to homes and businesses no longer need permission.
The proposed changes will only apply to planning consent, and people will need to consider building bye-law permission.
The most recent consultation asked for views on whether people have to apply for planning permission for minor changes in the following areas:
- Work to and within the garden of listed buildings and places
- Livestock shelters on land and oyster farming in Grouville Bay
- Public utilities and work to private roads
- Surveillance equipment
- Replacement conservatory roofs
- Satellite dishes, awnings, rainwater goods
- Industrial sites and demolition
Link to the summary of the consultation responses
gov.je