Parts of St Brelade’s Bay have become ‘Costa del St Brelade’, says Environment Minister

Parts of St Brelade’s Bay have become ‘Costa del St Brelade’, says Environment Minister

Four years ago Deputy John Young, whose constituency includes the bay area, got States’ approval to amend the Island Plan and set limits and constraints on what could be built on the bay.

‘I don’t believe planning decisions since then have given this new policy sufficient weight and it has been downplayed by the planners and the planning inspectors who have decided appeals,’ he said.

‘In their defence, this is a consequence of the excessive degree of conflicting policies in the current Island Plan. The new plan needs to reduce the extent of conflicting policies substantially.

‘At present the scope for subjective judgment between policies of the Island Plan by a single decision-maker, whoever they are, is far too wide. However, the Planning Committee provides an important safeguard by sharing their judgments and arriving at a collective decision.’

The Deputy made his comments in response to a letter from St Brelade’s Bay Residents’ Association chairwoman Moz Scott asking what he intended to do to protect the area now he was responsible for Planning.

A war of words broke out two years ago between the department and residents who claimed officers were ignoring measures designed to protect the bay.

The argument centred on the 1989 Environmental Improvement Plan for St Brelade’s Bay, and Deputy Young’s successful amendments to the 2011 Island Plan.

‘The two most iconic historic buildings in the bay – its church and Conway Tower – are becoming lost in a jumble of ostentatious buildings that lack local relevance and a sense of place,’ Ms Scott said.

‘We are looking to the minister to encourage both the States Assembly and the planning authorities to reverse the trend in order to reflect the Council of Ministers’ proposed strategic policy of protecting the Island’s environment and retaining sense of place, culture and distinctive local identity, while working with local community groups, parishes and key stakeholders.’

Deputy Young says he shares her concerns about problems that are inherent in the Island’s planning system.

‘St Brelade’s Bay has seen too much damaging development of its green backdrop zone and Mont Gras d’Eau has been changed from a charming Jersey lane into “Costa del St Brelade” with totally out of scale luxury over-developments.’

He continued: ‘It is my intention in the upcoming Island Plan review to ensure we have simpler, clearer and less ambiguous policies for development.

‘I also intend to progress changes to the Planning Law, in particular powers to designate conservation areas to protect their special character and enable policies which ensure that that character is respected and conserved in any developments.’

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