This two part video discussion relates to the written submission of September 2013 to the “Planning” office. That submission is posted on this blog on 21 September as “Heads in the Sands” and is a response to the planners’ invitation for comments on its proposed revisions to the 2011 Island Plan.
Among a wad of papers almost as thick as the Island Plan itself the planners outline some possible re-drafting of the Island Plan and in particular that some sites in the “Green Zone” should be re-zoned for housing purposes.
My view is that the whole Island Plan should be scrapped because successive Plans, produced at enormous cost, have proved to be virtually useless. The only sector the economy that has been prosperous during recent years is “finance” and that is the one that has received little or no attention under the “Plans”.
On the other hand, Tourism, light industry and agriculture have been largely ruined and the provision of Housing is a disaster.
What other community, with such “prosperity” could have 10,000 working adults – a fifth of the working population – who are not allowed even to rent or buy proper living accommodation, even if it were available! Such is the dreadful result of Island Plans produced over the past fifty years or so….
Even the Strategic Plan agreed by the States undertakes to house everybody in Jersey adequately and to eliminate discrimination….but the Planners evidently work to a totally different and unique agenda of their own!!!
At the very least I say that the Green Zone part of the Island Plan needs to be removed. The true housing and other needs of all the people – not just cows, potatoes and rich residents – needs to be totally re-assessed and other demands on land reconsidered.
The two part video discussion reveals that there is still an emotional clinging to the concept of the “Green Zone” by both politicians here (without much evidence) whilst the Architect is confidently willing to build.
The participants in the video are Deputy Rob Duhamel (Planning and Environment Minister), Deputy John Young (a former Chief Officer at the Planning Department) and Architect Derek Mason.
Some previous blogs here that relate to this are;
21 September 2013 “Heads in the Sand” Island Plan submission of Mike Dun
28 August 2013 Interview with Architect Derek Mason
9 July 2013 Minister Rob Duhamel interview
20 June 2013 Video documentary on Accessible v Pretty buildings in Jersey
9 March 2013 Deputy Green Housing Minister interview re “Non-qualified” residents
5 December 2012 Architect Paul Harding re Plemont
24 September 2012 The Battle
23 March 2012 Minister Rob Duhamel “Planning for the Future”
6 January 2012 Architect Paul Harding on Care provision in Jersey
18 October 2011 some housing Election promises…
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