Urban Character Area Design Guidance: Consultation: Response and Adoption

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A decision made 21 January 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2013-0008			Application Number: (If applicable)
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Urban character area design guidance - consultation response and adoption		Date of Decision Summary:		4th December 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Principal Planner		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	N/A		Person Giving Oral Report:		N/A
Written Report Title :	Supplementary Planning Guidance: Design Guidance for St Helier (December 2012)		Date of Written Report:		4th December 2012
Written Report Author:	Principal Planner		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Subject:
Decision(s): The Minister for the Environment; Noted the consultation response received as part of the public consultation (at appendix 1) and endorsed the proposed response to it (at appendix 2);. endorsed the proposed changes to the draft supplementary planning guidance (as set out at appendix 2) arising out of the principal issues raised during consultation which included: a) the provision of clarification of the role of this guidance in relation to other master plans and development briefs; b) the appropriate inclusion of the guidance in this document in forthcoming master plans and development briefs; c) allowance for a regular review of the guidance to take account of changes to the character areas; d) Revision to the guidance related to the interpretation of tall buildings to ensure that it remains consistent with Policy BE5. All of these proposed changes are reflected in the revised guidance set out at appendix 3. On the basis of the proposed changes, endorsed the adoption and issuing of the revised supplementary planning guidance. Authorised the release and publication of the response to consultation.
Reason(s) for Decision: the Minister has given due regard to the consultation responses and other issues raised in seeking to amend the draft guidance; The revised supplementary planning guidance provides a basis for a targeted and effective assessment of the design aspects of planning applications and future development. The purpose of this SPG is to maintain and enhance the quality and character of St Helier and to offer guidance and assistance to those involved in architecture and urban design.
Resource Implications: Article 6 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, provides the Minister for Planning and Environment with power to issue guidelines and policies (i.e. including supplementary planning guidance) in respect of: development generally; any class of development; the development of an area of land; or the development of a specified site. Before doing so, the Minister must consult any other Minister or statutory authority with an interest in the development in question; the development and publication of planning advice notes are in accordance with the above powers; the adoption of the updated guidance should assist those involved in preparing development proposals for St Helier; the Department of Environment; and decision-makers, by providing greater certainty and more detailed guidance; There may be resource implications associated with regular reviews of this guidance but these can and will be met from existing resources within the Department of the Environment.
Action required: Notify the Chairman of the Environment Scrutiny Panel, the States Greffe and consultees of the Minister’s decision and provide them with a copy of the response to the representations and comments received and the revised guidance; Publish on the States website the Minister’s response to the representations and comments received; Publish the adopted guidance on the States website and prepare and release a media statement.
Signature: Deputy R C Duhamel		PLeg / AS Initials		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:				Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):