Minister welcomes planning criticism

Deputy Domaille (pictured) yesterday said it was the 'strength of our system' that allowed flaws to be identified by the planning appeals panel, over how both Environment and Commerce and Employment dealt with applications for major hotel conversions.

The Environment minister said the departments were now acting on a series of recommendations from the tribunal, but did not accept the view that there was a lack of proactive interaction between the two departments.

'To be honest with you, we welcome the fact that they pointed us to these things and it gives us the opportunity to improve our approach,' he said.

'I think it is the strength of our system. This system is there for all to see.'

In contrast, Commerce and Employment minister Kevin Stewart said he had not yet read the detail of the tribunal notice, having been away when it was published.

He said the department would discuss the criticism at an upcoming board meeting, but admitted it would not make the agenda of the next one.

'We will take on board any valid criticism. However, it is an incumbent policy at the moment, of our board, to protect the (visitor) bed stock of the whole island for the benefit of the tourism industry.'

Deputy Domaille, however, has pledged that lessons would be learnt from the damning 28-page decision notice, after it had cast serious doubts over the planning approval granted for the redevelopments of Hotel les Carterets and St Martin's Hotel.

The tribunal's heavy criticism over the handling of these two cases, by Environment and Commerce and Employment, came as the tribunal gave its verdict on an appeal against the non-determination of proposals to turn the former Manor Hotel into a care home.

The tribunal granted permission for the Manor Hotel development and attacked the way the two departments had dealt with the two previous applications.