- Environment Minister Steve Luce has issued warning to developers not to try to play the system
- He wants to clampdown on repeat applications with minor changes and speculative applications
- Introducing a charge for extending planning permission is also being considered
- Should the rules be tightened? Take part in our poll below
A COMBINED clampdown on speculative development and the submission of repeatedly amended planning applications is to be enforced by Environment Minister Steve Luce.
The St Martin Deputy has issued a warning for developers to stop ‘playing’ the planning system – either by making several repeat applications with minor amendments to achieve a desired outcome, or by having plans approved, but leaving sites dormant for years.
Speaking about the proposed tightening of rules, Deputy Luce said that amended applications could simply be turned down if it was suspected that applicants were trying to reach a specific building goal in small increments.
A new planning appeals system was introduced this year. Under the new rules the minister has no involvement over initial planning decisions, but will remain independent so he can adjudicate over any appeals that are lodged by objectors or applicants later on.
At ministerial planning meetings an outline of the proposal is given by the Planning Officer who has been dealing with the application as well as an indication of whether the project has received backing from the department, which can recommend approval or refusal of any scheme.
The meeting unfolds in the same way as a Planning Applications Panel meeting, with objectors given the chance to raise concerns and questions about the proposals followed by an address from those behind the project.
The Environment Minister may ask questions of any party who speaks at the meeting.
Although he is able to make a final decision about any plans that come before him at a ministerial meeting, the process often ends with a decision being deferred until a later date.
And, he added, the current five-year time-limit under which a planning permission remains active could be reduced to deter speculative development that left sites empty.
Extending permissions currently does not cost anything and is a ‘rubber stamp’ exercise, according to Deputy Luce. Now, he is also considering adding a charge for planning permission extensions.
The potential changes come as part of his overhaul of the Island’s planning system, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Jersey’s Planning and Building Law.
Addressing the Chamber of Commerce lunch audience this week, Deputy Luce said: ‘On too many occasions I see plans approved only for applicants to come back later with amendments. If you want something then apply for it.
‘If you play the system by continually trying to modify your approval you may be in for a surprise.
‘I’ll also be looking at ways to encourage the turning of approvals into actual buildings. I can’t force anyone to build after permission has been granted, but I can make speculation a more expensive option.
Deputy Luce has previously suggested further reforms of the planning system to give Islanders greater freedom over minor changes to their homes.
It is also hoped that the whole process, including payment, will soon be able to be completed online.
After his speech, in which he outlined his vision for a ‘landmark building’ in St Helier, Deputy Luce added that he accepted that some planning applications were resubmitted with amendments for genuine reasons. He also said that some developments went un-built for specific reasons as well.
‘But sometimes people put in an easier application and then add a bit and add a bit and add a bit to get to the point they wanted in the first place’ he said.
‘Also, I want to find ways to get people to build the things they have been given permission for.
‘I want to encourage people to go through the planning process, say what they want, get approval and then build.’
