The Planning Applications Panel made the Jersey Zoo decision against the Planning Department’s advice after International Relations Minister Ian Gorst and Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham spoke strongly in favour of the development.
Last week Environment Minister John Young refused Tamba Park’s application, against an independent UK planning inspector’s recommendation for approval, because it was contrary to the Island Plan presumption against new development in the Green Zone.
However, speaking yesterday, Senator Gorst said ‘the Island Plan does not always serve Jersey as well as it intends’ and he reminded the panel – chairman Deputy Russell Labey and Deputies Jeremy Maçon, Scott Wickenden and Graham Truscott – that they had the discretion to support applications that did not comply with the Island Plan, if they felt there were justifiable reasons for approval.
Both Senators Gorst and Farnham said the proposed charity shop, which would also be used to champion recycling and sustainability, was essential to generate the income the Zoo needed to continue its conservation work around the world.
‘Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is part of our culture, it is part of our heritage and it is certainly part of our DNA,’ Senator Farnham said.
‘From the tourism perspective we have something in Jersey with our zoo that is a completely unique experience and one that is found only here in Jersey – and from the tourism point of view that is priceless.’
Planning officers had recommended refusing Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s proposal for a single-storey 40 by 24 metre retail building and parking for 35 cars in Profonde Rue, Trinity, close to the Zoo’s ‘glamping’ self-catering operation.
Having considered the application according to the Island Plan – Jersey’s development blueprint against which all proposed buildings are tested – they concluded that the shop would be harmful to the character of the Green Zone and countryside and be detrimental to the historic integrity of a neighbouring Grade 4 listed Jersey granite farmhouse. They also said that such a large shop, outside the designated retail area in St Helier, was contrary to Island Plan policy designed to limit out-of-town shopping, which could threaten St Helier retail businesses.
However, Zoo chief executive Dr Lesley Dickie said: ‘This shop does not pose a threat to retail in St Helier – Amazon does!’
She told the panel that the shop was a key element in Durrell’s 20-year sustainable income-generating strategy to secure its long-term future.
‘We need to diversify our income streams and support the existence of the work we are doing here and our conservation work around the world,’ she said.
‘It is a matter of survival as we are trying to secure our future in Jersey.’
Planning had received 120 letters of support from people and organisations, and many were from other zoos and conservation organisations around the world, including Singapore Zoo. Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur also spoke in support of the shop proposals. There were no objections and no one spoke against the application at yesterday’s meeting at St Paul’s Centre.
In giving approval, Deputy Labey said it had been very difficult for the panel to reach their decision, which was unanimous.
‘It’s not just Jersey that needs Durrell, it’s the whole world, and this development will help secure the Zoo’s future and the survival of this planet’s species,’ he said.
