Minister proposes ground rules for Planning decisions

Rob Duhamel has proposed strict guidelines on how the minister should act before and during the determination of planning applications , including excusing himself if there is any hint of a perceived conflict of interest.

He believes that the minister should only get involved in proposals of Island-wide significance and reasons for the intervention must be recorded.

The news follows a report carried out by the Planning Officers Society for England and Wales last year, which criticised former Environment Minister Freddie Cohen’s involvement in applications.

Deputy Duhamel’s proposition for a new code of conduct was lodged on Monday,