ALLEGATIONS of “a campaign of persistent intimidation” involving dog-waste “being regularly thrown”, “harassment” and “venomous online comments” were made at a planning appeal hearing in relation to a controversial 26-home development proposed in Trinity.
Making the allegations was planning consultant John Nicholson, who was representing the developer behind the proposed scheme at La Ruette, off Rue du Moulin du Ponterrin, which is close to Victoria Village.
The development, which sits in the Island Plan-designated ‘Built Up Area’ within the existing boundary of a large property, was refused by the Planning Committee in April, on the grounds that it would generate too much traffic and a proposal to widen the lane by up to 1.5m over a 50m stretch would be “harmful to its rural character and identity”. This was despite the assigned planning officer recommending the scheme for approval.
The developer – Castletree Eco Village Limited – has appealed that decision. In response to that appeal, neighbours opposed to the scheme have formed a Victoria Village Community Group, which was represented at this week’s hearing.
Mr Nicholson’s opening submission included details of the alleged campaign which he said “has to end” but a member of the group in the audience responded to say that the group had no knowledge of any of the alleged actions and it was “unbecoming to start a statement with those accusations”.
It was left to UK-based independent inspector Fortune Gumbo, overseeing his first week of planning appeals in Jersey, to settle the matter by saying that it was “extremely unlikely” that the accusations would make it into his report.
During the hearing, the Planning Department’s appeal officer, Jonathan Gladwin – putting forward the Planning Committee’s view – said that the 26-home development would potentially be inhabited by up to 117 people, which he said was a “massive increase” in residents in the area, which would lead to an “unreasonable increase” in road traffic.
Planning consultant Stephanie Steedman, representing the community group, said that residents understood that some development at La Ruette was likely to happen, but Victoria Village is a “small settlement in the heart of Jersey’s rural landscape and the proposed development would introduce a “suburban feature at odds with area’s character”.
She added that the official highways’ authority for the road – the Roads’ Committee of Trinity – did not support the plans, although this was disputed by Mr Nicholson, who said that an email from the parish sent at the pre-application stage had said the committee had no objections.
For the developer, Mr Nicholson said that the development “offers a balanced and sustainable solution that delivers high-quality homes, within a fantastic environment”.
He added: “The application is technically sound, policy compliant, and clearly advances the objectives of the Island Plan. For these reasons, we align with the original officer recommendation and submit that planning permission should be granted.”
Having heard all submissions at this week’s hearing, Mr Gumbo will now review the evidence and make a recommendation to the new Environment Minister – whoever that may be – as to whether the appeal should be upheld or dismissed.
