Planning appeals more than double under revised system

More than 30 planning appeals have been submitted since the process was removed from the remit of the Royal Court earlier this year and placed with a new tribunal-style system.

Figures show that more than twice as many appeals have been lodged since the new procedure was introduced eight months ago, compared with the previous full year under the old process.

Data held by the Planning Department shows that for the three years before the changes were introduced there was roughly one appeal per month.

Twelve appeals were lodged between March 2012 and March 2013, in the following 12 months 14 were submitted and in the last full year of the old system 11 appeals were brought.

However, 34 appeals have been lodged under the new tribunal-style system, which was brought in to offer Islanders a cheaper, quicker and less complex way of dealing with grievances.

Under the new procedure applicants objecting to planning decisions submit their arguments to an independent planning inspector from the UK and respondents do the same.

The inspector then reviews the material and may also hold public hearings to discuss any issues relating to the application.

The inspector goes on to make a recommendation to the Environment Minister, who has the final say in supporting or refusing an appeal.

Environment Minister Steve Luce said the new process had taken longer than expected to set up.

But he added: ‘I’m delighted that the system is now in place and operating.

‘There is a reasonable chance that the initial fee structure will have to rise next year, but any new cost will still be very much less than it used to be.

‘I’m very confident that by the middle of next year everyone involved will be entirely satisfied that we have done the right thing for those who wish to access the planning appeals system.’

Final decisions on the first five appeals to have gone through the revised process are expected in the coming weeks.

Those decisions relate to appeals against the listing of 9 Commercial Buildings, a St Helier warehouse, and the listing of La Grande Maison, a 19th-century cod house in St John.

The first decisions due to be returned also include an appeal by the Pomme d’Or Hotel against plans to introduce a new restaurant and bar below the refurbished Southampton Hotel, an appeal against the refusal of plans to build a three-car garage and bin store in St Peter and an appeal against approved refurbishments for a property at Popin Farm in St Brelade.

Deputy Luce is due to deliver his decisions in the coming weeks.

Appealing against a major development currently costs £300, whereas formally objecting to a minor development costs £100.

Previously it was estimated that appealing against planning decisions through the Royal Court carried a minimum cost of around £10,000 and usually left appellants with legal bills of around £30,000.

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