To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Senator Cohen improved our built environment
Share this:
From Bruce Willing.
I TAKE issue with Len Vautier’s comment (JEP, 22 August) regarding Senator Cohen having ‘done more damage to this Island than anyone I can remember’.
Sadly he does not describe the ‘damage’ but I assume that he is referring to Senator Cohen’s five and a half years as Minister of Planning and Environment. I guess, therefore, that he is referring to Planning decisions like the Radisson and, thanks to its continuing exposure in this paper, Portelet.
Neither of these planning permissions were originally granted by Senator Cohen who, in the case of Portelet, took great care to require amended schemes that improved on the originally approved design – and good design is where Senator Cohen has focused his attention throughout his time as Planning Minister.
Far from damage, Senator Cohen has improved the built environment through actively encouraging good design, both through our local architects and by encouraging internationally recognised architects to design buildings in Jersey.
He initiated the Percentage for Art programme that has delivered an increasing set of fine sculpture for everyone’s enjoyment, he has overseen the introduction of new building regulations to compliment good design and ensure that new buildings meet internationally and nationally recognised environmental standards and he has piloted through a thorough review of our Island’s future built environment through the comprehensive Island Plan 2011 approved by the States in June.
As Environment Minister he ensured that the restructuring of the old Agriculture and Fisheries Department led directly into the current Planning and Environment department in order that the future environment of our Island could be managed holistically with the sea, air and built environment being considered as one. He introduced the hugely successful Eco-Active programme and a new States Environment Strategy, soon to be followed by an Energy Strategy.
Thanks to the internal politics within the States, we are likely to lose Senator Cohen as a politician, due to the reduction in Senatorial seats and the many personal attacks that have been made against him. Meanwhile he continues to be our Foreign Affairs Minister, a job that only now is being recognised for its importance for the development of our economy.
Rather than making defamatory and unsubstantiated statements about
Senator Cohen, perhaps Mr Vautier would like to reflect on what Jersey is going to lose when Senator Cohen departs from the political scene.
At the very least he should credit Senator Cohen for actually doing what he promised to do in his election campaign on 2005. How many politicians can say that they have done that?
Related