PLANS to build 26 homes within the grounds of a single property close to Victoria Village in Trinity have been rejected because of the impact of the development on nearby lanes.
The 4.2-vergée site called La Ruette next to the Eric Young Orchid Foundation sits within the ‘built-up area’ – where there is a presumption that development will be allowed.
However, the Planning Committee yesterday sent developer Castletree Group back to the drawing board principally over fears that the development’s new entrance onto Rue du Moulin du Ponterrin would lead to excessive congestion in the tight lane and surrounding roads.
A commitment by the applicant to widen a 54m section of the lane to 5m was not enough to satisfy the committee, who largely were supportive of the design of the scheme, which would have seen existing main house demolished but its nearby bakehouse and barns retained.
Rue du Moulin du Ponterrin is a parish road and the Roads Committee of Trinity objected to the plans due to concerns about parking, road safety and the lack of nearby amenities and “woefully inadequate” bus service, which meant that new residents would invariably have to use their cars to get around.
Nearby resident Michelle Cabot spoke on behalf of several residents who attended the Planning Committee hearing to voice their objections to the application.
“This is an urban development parachuted into a rural community,” she said.
Jeff Worthington of Castletree Group told the committee that it was a “well-designed scheme” that had incorporated improvements recommended by the Jersey Architecture Commission, including creating a public walkway within the site and along the road.
However, the group of politicians voted five to two to reject the proposal, despite all agreeing that development in some form on the site was inevitable.
