Jersey Architecture Commission

About the Jersey Architecture Commission

The Jersey Architecture Commission is an advisory group to provide independent, expert advice and guidance on major and sensitive developments in Jersey.

The Commission was set up in 2010 and is up to 15 formally appointed Commissioners who are appointed every two or three years. At least 3 Commissioners attend each design review. The Executive Officer to the Commission briefs and provides advice to the Commission.

The Commissioners have specific skills in the following areas:

• experience in the field of architecture, design and heritage
• current architectural practice
• urban and landscape design
  
• sustainability and climate change
  

The Commission brings together a wealth of expertise in architecture, planning and urban design to advise the Planning Committee and planning service department on architecture and design.

The Commission work with the planning service as well as with agents and developers to promote and support the Minister’s aspiration for the highest possible standards of design in the built environment.

Commissioners are required to declare any interests they may have which may be perceived as impacting their impartially. These standards are set out in the Terms of Reference.

Getting advice from the Commission

The Commission meet every second month to review schemes at an early stage in the development process. Schemes for review are selected by Commission with the agreement of the planning service and applicant as proposed by the client or design team.

There is an option to call other meetings for significant projects. The meetings are held in private with attendance restricted to the client, their design team and relevant planning officers. There is an option to call oter meetings for significant projects.

Applicants are invited to make a presentation to the Commission who then issue a written report giving guidance on the scheme. It'll focus on how well the scheme relates to the principles of good design and give a series of constructive comments. The advice is used in the assessment process of any planning application.

To request a review contact the Executive Officer.

Types of schemes likely to be reviewed

The Commission offer advice on schemes that:

• are significant in terms of their scale
• are particularly sensitive in terms of their location
• involve heritage and conservation
• have persistent design problems

When schemes are reviewed before a planning application is made the Commission’s review can be confidential by request. Knowing that the proposals will be treated as confidential encourages developers to seek advice early in the process, when it will be most valuable. When considering schemes that have already been submitted for planning approval, the Commission will make its advice publicly available.

Cost of a review

There is no fee for advice from the Commission. However in some circumstances a fee can be required, with agreement, for exceptional meetings or for pre-application advice at the request of the client and design team.

How schemes presented to the Commission

Schemes are brought to the Commission voluntarily and there’s no obligation on anyone to put forward a scheme for review. The Minister, department or design team can request the Commission offer a design review of a scheme. If requested by the planning service, a design review of schemes subject to a current planning application, can be reviewed using the application information submitted. The Commission decides what schemes it will review.

Early consultation with the Commission is advisable, when the project is at a formative stage and when the expertise and advice can be most effective. Typically this will be early in the pre-application stage.

Jersey Architecture Commission terms of reference
Jersey Architecture Commission list of members​
Guidance note for presentations to the commission

Jersey Architecture Commission Annual Report