THE Jersey Development Company decided to make a “difficult decision in the best interests of the community” to build this winter’s ice rink at the Weighbridge without planning permission, the JEP has learned.
The taxpayer-owned firm said that an “an administrative planning fee payment error within JDC” had delayed the process and it would remove the structure if a retrospective planning application was refused.
The large marquee that houses the seasonal attraction has already been erected, with JDC, which organises the loss-making rink, seeking permission for the 1,350 m2 temporary structure, from 1 October to 31 March.
However, the marquee is currently compliant because temporary structures can be erected for up to 28 days without consent.
However, the application must go before the Planning Committee, which next sits on 6 November, a day after the 28-day period elapses.
With no confirmed timeframe for determination, JDC took the difficult decision to proceed with the erection of the marquee to ensure the rink would be ready for the October half-term holidays and the forthcoming Christmas season
Jersey Development Company
‘Jersey On Ice’ is due to open on Saturday 25 October, in time for the autumn half-term.
However, one public comment on the application calls the start of building an “abuse of the planning system” which shows a “complete disregard for due process”.
This view has prompted JDC to “clarify” its position on the ice rink.
In a statement, the company said: “In 2023, JDC was asked by the then Minister for Sport to reintroduce the Island’s much-missed annual ice rink, which had not taken place for five years.
“JDC agreed to fund and organise the event and, despite operating at a financial loss, delivered a highly successful ice rink that attracted around 45,000 visits from Islanders and visitors.
“Recognising the popularity of the event and its strong alignment with the government’s priority to provide activities and amenities for children and families, JDC’s board agreed to continue supporting and delivering the ice rink in subsequent years.”
The company said that a temporary marquee is required at the Weighbridge for the rink due to the “ongoing unavailability” of Fort Regent.
“When the marquee was installed in 2024, it became clear that formal planning permission should have been sought under the Moveable Structures Order, as the marquee would be in place for longer than 28 days,” the JDC added.
“JDC immediately applied for a three-year planning consent for a temporary structure to be used annually between 1 October and 31 March.”
It added: “At the request of the Bailiff, last year’s marquee remained in situ until May to provide contingency cover for the Liberation 80 celebrations, resulting in the planning approval being limited to a one-year term. This meant JDC was required to submit a fresh application for the 2025 and 2026 winter seasons.”
However, JDC said that “an administrative planning fee payment error within JDC” had caused a delay to this year’s planning application of approximately five weeks, which had delayed formal validation of this year’s application.
It continued: “With no confirmed timeframe for determination, JDC took the difficult decision to proceed with the erection of the marquee to ensure the rink would be ready for the October half-term holidays and the forthcoming Christmas season.
“Under planning law, temporary structures can be erected for up to 28 days without consent, and the marquee’s current installation remains within that initial period.
“If planning permission were ultimately refused, JDC would of course comply with that decision and remove the structure. However, this would mean there could be no ice rink in Jersey for this year’s Christmas holidays.
“JDC’s decision to proceed was made in the best interests of the community, particularly local children and families, who have very limited access to all-weather recreational facilities during the winter months.
“The ice rink operates as a non-commercial, loss-making community amenity, and JDC provides it as a service to the Island, not for profit.
“JDC remains fully committed to transparency and is working closely with the Planning Department to regularise the position as quickly as possible.”
