19 November 2015
The Planning and Environment Minister has agreed changes to Jersey’s planning law that will let people do more to their home or business without applying for planning permission.
The Department of the Environment has consulted people and businesses involved with planning, and the wider public, on draft changes to orders governing what’s known as 'permitted development'.
Approximately 60 organisations and individuals responded to the consultation. Many people who responded said that waiting for planning permission for minor changes was frustrating and they wanted to see improvements in this area. The Minister considered their comments and in response has changed some proposals before agreeing the final draft of the law.
Changes that will take effect as soon as the law is changed in the early new year include businesses such as tourism, health and fitness, and late night economy being able to set up or move into new premises more easily. Many other minor changes to homes and businesses will no longer need permission and will become permitted development, including the following
changing windows and doors on non-listed buildings
putting up advertising signs for charity events without permission for a limited period of time
making your home warmer by insulating your walls and roof up to 15 cm (using an external insulating render system)
fewer restrictions on replacement signs, the sizes of signs for shops, and advertising on construction scaffolding and hoardings
more time for moveable structures such as marquees and tents to be in place
more leeway on energy efficiency measures, particularly on the size of solar panels
reducing height restrictions on flat roof structures and extensions
Deputy Steve Luce has also launched the next stage of a review of the planning law. Today he announced that in 2016 the department will review planning restrictions including the following
listed buildings and protected sites
livestock shelters and protection of agricultural land
public utilities and work to private roads
Deputy Steve Luce said "This is the second stage of a wide ranging root and branch review of planning restrictions that we promised we’d carry out in the 50th anniversary of the planning and building law.
"I’m pleased to say that the department’s worked quickly and consulted widely. We took on a lot of feedback and the resulting law changes, which will come into force in the early new year, will reflect people’s views.
"That was the low hanging fruit, though. The second stage, which will start early next year, will address the more contentious topics and really try to get a workable balance between keeping the safeguards that protect our landscape and historic environment and providing an efficient and workable planning service for people in Jersey."
gov.je