THE government needs to improve confidence and encourage investment to counter a “slowdown” for construction, industry representatives have warned.
The Jersey Construction Council said that ministers and businesses need to work more closely together to “build a stronger pipeline of projects”.
“Jersey has a capable construction industry with the skills to deliver,” it said.
Earlier this week, Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin told a Scrutiny panel hearing that so little building had taken place this year, the industry body had not given out the majority of its annual awards.
He added that he was “not aware of any construction of homes or flats going on in St Helier at the moment”, despite a major build being under way at the former Ann Street brewery site which is set to deliver hundreds of new homes.
Deputy Voisin argued that “the cumulative impact of regulation on regulation on regulation” gets in the way of business, citing for example a recent increase in stamp duty and larger minimum sizes for housing.
In response, the Jersey Construction Council welcomed an upcoming review on residential standards, which suggests lowering the minimum size for homes.
The Construction Council said: “The recent slowdown in construction highlights the importance of creating the right conditions for new development in Jersey.
“Regulation has an important role in maintaining standards, but we also need to consider its cumulative impact on cost, investment and project viability. The aim should be proportionate, predictable regulation that supports good-quality development while allowing the industry to remain competitive.
“The review of residential standards is therefore a positive opportunity to consider greater flexibility and help support the delivery of a broader range of homes.”
Currently, a one-bedroom flat for one person in Jersey has to be at least 43sq-m and the minimum standard goes up as bedrooms and occupants are added.
A review of residential standards, which is currently underway, asks whether those standards should be brought down, and whether other types of housing, like “co-living”, should be allowed.
