We tried to use common sense approach – DPA head

Among the changes the DPA wants to see are to allow named tourism sites to be developed, flats above shops to be created, and green energy equipment to be installed, all without the need for planning approval.

‘We’ve really tried to have a common sense, practical approach and tried to remove the red tape from the planning system and save parishioners money at the same time,’ said DPA president Victoria Oliver.

This is something she has been eager to do for some time, she said.

‘I’ve always felt passionate about it. I wanted it to start last term but the then-president wanted other things, so it’s started this term.’

The report followed consultations with other States committees, in particular Environment & Infrastructure, douzaine representatives and representatives from industries such as tourism and the renewable energy sector.

There were some elements that ended up not making the final report, such as allowing uPVC or aluminium windows to be fitted in place of wooden ones on some listed buildings. But although this idea was dropped, Deputy Oliver said the subject could come up by way of an amendment when the report is debated in December.

Another exemption that was not included were domestic wind turbines, again as a result of consultation showing that there was little appetite for them. But there was a lot of enthusiasm for solar panels, air source heat pumps and batteries being excluded, and these appear in the report.

One of the highest profile parts of the report gives a list of hotels, guest houses and self-catering establishments that could be exempt from the need to get planning permission to be turned into homes.

The hotels named included Idlerocks, Bon Port and Forest Park and Deputy Oliver said all of the sites were identified by Economic Development, after which the authority sent letters to all in the industry to get feedback.

There was no concern about the loss of bed stock, she said, but many suggested other places that could be added to the list of exemptions.

‘All of them said they would very much like to see a proper visitor accommodation strategy, which we have fed back to Economic Development.’

A two-year time limit is proposed for the changes and Deputy Oliver said that by that time a new visitor strategy should be in place.

The chosen hotels have not been part of the island’s bed stock since before the pandemic.

Hedges exemption not carte blanche to remove them

HEDGES cannot be removed completely or replaced by a fence without planning permission, Deputy Victoria Oliver has clarified.

The Development & Planning Authority president was speaking following the publication of its proposed list of exemptions, to be debated by the States next month.

Among these is reference to allow the removal of all or part of a hedge in the grounds of a property, subject to exceptions.

She wanted to make it clear that this did not give carte blanche for people to pull hedges out of the ground.

‘All we’re saying is that if you want to cut your hedge down and replace it, you can’t cut it during the bird breeding season and you have to replace it with a natural species.

‘But if someone wants to clear the hedge completely or put up a fence you still have to get planning permission.’

The bird breeding season is defined as being between March and July.