Bridging Island Plan is approved

The Bridging Island Plan, which sets the policies for planning decisions over the next three years, has been approved by States Members after a two-week debate.

The Minister for the Environment, Deputy John Young, launched the Island Plan Review programme in 2019. To best respond to the subsequent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister decided to put forward a shorter-term “bridging” plan to sit between the two longer-term policy documents (the previous Island Plan 2011-2021, and a future Island Plan 2025-2034).

The overall approval, which was unanimous, follows a public consultation on the proposals, and an Examination in Public overseen by independent inspectors.

Deputy Young said: “I would like to thank States Members for their support for this Bridging Island Plan, and also thank them for the robust challenge and the well-considered amendments. The debate was of a very high quality, with valuable contributions from Members.

“In terms of housing, the plan provides a level of supply that can meet the anticipated demand over the next three years, including a significant number of affordable homes on rezoned sites, affordable homes on States-owned land, including the provision for assisted-purchase housing, and a mechanism to deliver a proportion of assisted-purchase housing on large scale residential schemes from next year.

“It’s a plan that delivers better protection for the Island’s best landscapes and seascapes, through the creation of the protected coastal area and firm policy to protect Jersey’s historic environment.

“Much has changed since the previous plan was established in 2011, and this new framework for the next three years will, overall, facilitate Jersey’s positive future growth, while ensuring we can deliver sustainable development.

“The review process over the past few years has been extensive and the draft policies independently reviewed by the inspectors, whom I also wish to thank. I’m hugely grateful to the policy officers who have worked around the clock to ensure we reached this point today, complying with the legislative requirements of this process and ensuring we have a document in place to provide planners with a clear framework to protect our Island’s great character, while at the same time allowing it to flourish and develop in the best ways for Jersey. 

“Finally, I wish to thank the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff and the States Greffe for their support throughout the debates.”