Skip to main content Skip to accessibility
This website is not compatible with your web browser. You should install a newer browser. If you live in Jersey and need help upgrading call the States of Jersey web team on 440099.
Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Former Jersey College for Girls, Rouge Bouillon, St. Helier: Planning Application (P/2013/0337): Determination of Minister

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

  • demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision

  • providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 26 September 2014:

Decision Reference:   MD-PE-2014-0083

Application Number:  P/2013/0337

(If applicable)

Decision Summary Title :

Former Jersey College for Girls, Rouge Bouillon, St. Helier

Date of Decision Summary:

26 September 2014

Decision Summary Author:

 

Principal Planner

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

n/a

Written Report

Title :

P/2013/0337

Date of Written Report:

26 September 2014

Written Report Author:

PrincipalPlanner

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Subject:  , Former Jersey College for Girls, Rouge Bouillon, , St. Helier, Jersey, JE2 3ZQ

 

Demolish existing buildings to rear of site, construct 5 No. new buildings comprising of 159 No. apartments (including 40 No. Cat A apartments, semi basement parking and stores.) Demolish rear parts of former school building, convert former school building into 24 No. residential units. Associated landscaping works. Widen and create pavement to Drury Lane. EIA submitted. Digital model available. AMENDED PLANS: Increase number of Cat A apartments to 75. Alterations to Block 4. Re-provision of parking for Janvrin School. FURTHER AMENDED PLANS: Increase number of Cat A apartments to 80 of 159 new build apartments. Retain western hall of former school building and convert to 4 additional apartments. Add garden amenity rooms to landscaped areas.

 

Decision(s):

 

At the Ministerial Meeting of 15th August 2014 the Minister received the Department report and heard public comment in relation to the subject planning application, and deferred his decision pending a site visit. The relevant site visit was undertaken on 29th August 2014, when he viewed the interior of the buildings, the wider site, and visited neighbouring properties. The Minister also visited the new JCG school to view the proposed site for the relocated library.

 

Following the visit the Minister confirmed:
 

(1) he was not content with the overall quantum of affordable housing. The Minister acknowledged that the conclusion for the site has to be in the context of a scheme which is economically viable, but considered that the position in the 2011 Island Plan (Revised 2014) and in the adopted development brief prioritised the provision of affordable housing over open-market units. He therefore required the applicant to increase the proportion of affordable housing in the scheme;

 

(2) he considered that some of the units, particularly in the new-build elements were small and had a restricted outlook (single-aspect north-facing units). Within a high-density site solution the Minister considered that overall site amenities should be enhanced in qualitative terms and to provide a liveable environment which maximises the overall sense of community and identity. He therefore asked for the incorporation of enhanced amenities, such as a gym, children’s play areas, workshop or studio spaces, within the existing landscaped areas.

 

(3) as the former library is an integral and important part of the fabric of the Listed building, its proposed relocation into the new JCG building should be illustrated with proper scaled drawings;

 

(4) all other interior features to be removed from the Listed building should be subject to a scheme of architectural salvage, which must include the western stair being offered as a complete piece.

 

These matters were relayed to the applicant who has accepted the feedback and responded with a covering letter and package of drawings dated 24th September 2014 which:

 

(1) increases the Category A affordable units by 5, so representing 80 of the 159 new-build units;

 

(2) adds four glazed garden pavilions to the landscaped grounds, totalling 307 sq m, and delivering a reading room, children’s indoor play, a residents gym and flexible space for residents;

 

(3) includes a new drawing showing the relocated former library;
 

The package of further revised plans also includes for the retention of the western hall of the former school building, and its conversion into 4 apartments. Given this change relates to the Listed Building, the alterations have been reviewed by the Historic Environment Team. In their consultation response of 26th September 2014 (attached) they reconfirm their strong objection to the heritage losses across the wider scheme and, in relation to this specific change, note:

 

“We very much welcome the retention of the western hall but the plans and elevations submitted appear to show a new structure and do not show the level of detail required to ensure proper future conservation of the key elements of this feature. A condition should be imposed to ensure full details are received to ensure the proper conservation of this feature during proposed conversion.”

 

The ‘new structure’ as referenced in this response is a terraced amenity deck over the car parking area, and can be adequately controlled by a usual framework of conditions to provide the level of details as necessary for this Listed building.

 

Similarly, in relation to point (4) these matters can also be dealt with by a framework of conditions, as is standard.

 

The Minister has reviewed the latest submissions and considers that the up-dated information satisfactorily address his original concerns, as such, the Minister resolved to endorse the Department recommendation that the application be approved, subject to the conditions and subject to the prior completion of a Planning Obligation Agreement, as set out in the Department report heard at the 15th August Ministerial Meeting. It was noted that point (1) of the terms of the proposed Planning Obligation Agreement would be altered to confirm 80 Category A units, split equally to be 40 units for social rent by over 55’s, and 40 units for discounted purchase.

 

The Minister also confirmed that given the nature of the changes and their lack of impacts outside the site the further amended plans did not need re-advertising and that he is content with the revised / additional conditions from the Historic Environment Team (complete schedule attached).

 

Reason(s) for Decision:

The proposed development is considered to be acceptable having due regard to the Jersey Island Plan 2011 (as amended) and all of the other material considerations raised. In particular, the development has been assessed against Policies SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP6, SP7, GD1, GD5, GD6, GD7, GD8, NE1, HE1, HE2, HE5, BE3, BE10, H1, H4, H6, TT4, TT8, TT9, NR7, WM1 and LWM2 of the Jersey Island Plan 2011.

 

In addition, the development has been assessed against the Supplementary Planning Guidance Former Jersey College for Girls Development Brief (July 2012). In this case, the proposed development is regarded as acceptable having addressed the Aims of Development as set out in the Development Brief, and balanced the objectives of the various individual policies (particularly in relation to the amenities of neighbours, the protection of the historic environment and the delivery of affordable housing units), within an economically viable development package necessary to secure the long-term future of the key heritage asset.

 

In addition, the representations raised to the scheme have been carefully assessed. The determination acknowledges the presented issues, particularly in relation to the amenities of neighbours by reference to the scale, form and nature of the proposals, and weighs them against the benefits delivered by the application. Taken as a package, it is considered that the application will be positive and beneficial, and that the potential impacts will not be unreasonable in all the circumstances.

Resource Implications:

 

None

 

Action required:

 

Notify Agent, Applicant and all other interested parties

 

Signature:

 

Deputy R C Duhamel

PLeg / AS Initials

Position:

Minister for Planning and Environment

 

Date Signed:

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

Back to top
rating button