The Minister is required by Law (Planning and Building (Covid-19 Bridging Island Plan) (Jersey) Order 2021 (jerseylaw.je)) to appoint an independent planning inspector to undertake and Examination in Public on the draft Bridging Island Plan, in accordance with agreed Terms of Reference. The examination in public took place in Autumn 2021, and this report presents the findings of the inspectors, as a result of their work. 

The planning inspectors’ report comprehensively reflects on and scrutinises the proposals and policies in the draft Bridging Island Plan and the issues raised during consultation, by taking into consideration the valuable input of both the public and States Members. The 100-page report contains 60 recommendations for the Minister for the Environment and States Members to consider in their deliberations leading up to the amendments period and the debate in March.

Prior to the examination in public, States Members proposed 60 amendments and one amendment to amendment, which the planning inspectors have taken into consideration and commented on in their report. States Members will have opportunity to propose further amendments in response to the report and recommendations until 7 February 2022. This will be followed by a one-week period for amendments to previously lodged amendments to be made, and a period for the Minister for the Environment to propose his own final amendments, until two-weeks before the debate is due to start. 

The States Assembly are due to debate the draft Bridging Island Plan over a two-week period commencing 14 March 2022. For updates on the draft Bridging Island Plan debate, visit the States Assembly website.