07 July 2016
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, has refused a planning application to demolish glasshouses and build 11 homes on fields at St Ouen.
Deputy Luce said his decision was based on careful consideration of the planning inspector’s report and recommendation, “I agree with the conclusions of the inspector as detailed in his report dated 30 June 2016 and consider the proposed development to be contrary to the Island Plan.”
A public inquiry, conducted by independent planning inspector Philip Staddon, took place in May 2016, and invited representations from the public in relation to the planning application. In his report, Mr. Staddon recommended that the Minister should refuse the planning application on the following three grounds:
- The proposed building of eleven homes on this remote headland site conflicts with Island Plan policies to concentrate development in the built-up area.
- The development conflicts with the policy to establish a high level of protection from development of the Green Zone and specifically excludes the redevelopment of glasshouses.
- The applicant’s ‘enabling or linked development’ case is not accepted, as the proposal fails to meet the required criteria of the policy.
Deputy Luce said “I am grateful to Mr Staddon for agreeing to hold this inquiry and for his excellent report, which so clearly distills the issues in this complex case. In particular, I am grateful for his incisive comments relating to the ‘enabling or linked’ development policy.
"It is clear from this that any development which might be proposed, contrary to Green Zone policy, should be limited to the funding of the agricultural industry investment alone. The paying down of company debt is not a sufficient reason to override the Island’s strategic and Green Zone policies."
Full details of planning application P/2015/1860 (La Rue Grantez, St Ouen) and the inspector’s report can be found on the Planning Register on www.gov.je
Link to the planning appplication
gov.je