From John Le Maistre, president, Jersey Farmers’ Union.
DURING the States Sitting tomorrow, they will be debating a proposition to develop productive green fields to provide homes for over 55s and first-time buyers.
Much of the proposal is completely contrary to the present Island Plan and undermines any confidence that one has in it.
In the policy there is a presumption against building in the Countryside Zone and Green Zone but those supporting the proposition point to the fact that exceptions can be made in the ‘Island interest’.
For me, this provision would be for building on green fields to extend a school or other such facility, not the wholesale provision of land for building homes for a growing population.
The proposals are a kneejerk reaction to the failure to control population growth to a level at which new housing could be built to provide for it. Before rezoning land the States must decide on the level of population that will be right for the Island. They must then, in developing the new Island Plan, make adequate provision for housing that population.
Imagine Jersey 2035 was clearly designed to persuade those taking part that our only option was to allow population growth. The down side of such growth, even at the lower level of 10,000 over that time, will have a dramatic impact on the countryside, infrastructure and the farming industry. It would inevitably lead to more building in the countryside.
If this were not the case then this proposition would not be being brought forward.
The Chief Minister, in his ‘Keeping Jersey Special’ speech, said that one of the Council of Ministers’ initiatives was to ‘preserve the productive agricultural land, as part of our heritage landscape and to deliver food security in the future.’
This proposition flies completely counter to that sentiment.
I am sure that this autumn at election time, as always, all candidates seeking re-election will preach of their commitment to protecting the countryside and the farming industry.
It will be interesting to see which of them proves that commitment this week by opposing the proposition. 22 Seale Street,
St Helier.
Set the population first
From John Le Maistre, president, Jersey Farmers’ Union.
DURING the States Sitting tomorrow, they will be debating a proposition to develop productive green fields to provide homes for over 55s and first-time buyers.
Much of the proposal is completely contrary to the present Island Plan and undermines any confidence that one has in it.
In the policy there is a presumption against building in the Countryside Zone and Green Zone but those supporting the proposition point to the fact that exceptions can be made in the ‘Island interest’.
For me, this provision would be for building on green fields to extend a school or other such facility, not the wholesale provision of land for building homes for a growing population.
The proposals are a kneejerk reaction to the failure to control population growth to a level at which new housing could be built to provide for it. Before rezoning land the States must decide on the level of population that will be right for the Island. They must then, in developing the new Island Plan, make adequate provision for housing that population.
Imagine Jersey 2035 was clearly designed to persuade those taking part that our only option was to allow population growth. The down side of such growth, even at the lower level of 10,000 over that time, will have a dramatic impact on the countryside, infrastructure and the farming industry. It would inevitably lead to more building in the countryside.
If this were not the case then this proposition would not be being brought forward.
The Chief Minister, in his ‘Keeping Jersey Special’ speech, said that one of the Council of Ministers’ initiatives was to ‘preserve the productive agricultural land, as part of our heritage landscape and to deliver food security in the future.’
This proposition flies completely counter to that sentiment.
I am sure that this autumn at election time, as always, all candidates seeking re-election will preach of their commitment to protecting the countryside and the farming industry.
It will be interesting to see which of them proves that commitment this week by opposing the proposition.
22 Seale Street,
St Helier.
Article posted on 14th July, 2008 - 3.00pm