States Planning department a law unto themselves
AGAIN we see another frustrating year of decision-making by our States Planning department. All through the year, no matter what parish, the public have been up in arms against the building planning decisions made and again to no avail. Any representation against has been turned down on practically all of these. They really are a law unto themselves even though they invited the public to meetings to see how they work and the public really has no trust or faith in them.
We see the gentleman in the Vale who was refused permission to change his windows due to their decision it was a listed building – and that listing was only declared after the application was put forward.
Only the other day I referred back to the planning approval of a green field site at Les Blanches, Jerbourg Road, which had gone quiet as no development had started.
Now it seems that the developer has sold on this development site to another. So after two decisions were made to refuse this development and then on an appeal by three unelected panel members against the thousands of feelings of the general public, we see a new development company taking over. What a waste of time and money devoted to the original company – of course it is sold on again for a nice profit. Pity that the new development company does not have to re-apply.
We noticed a gentleman in a yellow jacket the other day measuring up in between the copse and trees, behind the recycling bins at the Manor shopping area. He was there with his tripod and measuring tape for the new road to be made for the entrance to the green field site. Surely the Planning department should have had a planning application to ask for permission to remove all these trees, etc., seeing as this part of the development was only sold after DPA permission was given at the tribunal?
Again, we see that no one really cares about our environment any more, it’s all about money and profit again.
Well, we all know what States department will not have received a ‘Happy Christmas’ card this year, but we fear again for 2020.
R. S. MAUGER
Valletta,
Rue des Frieteaux,
St Martin’s,
GY4 6XA.