PLANNING have highlighted 29 sites around the Island for protection against development.

Having reviewed the 2002 Island Plan built-up area zone in response to criticism from former vice-president Deputy Jackie Hilton and St Clement Deputy Gerard Baudains, the Environment and Public Services Committee deny that the strategic document is seriously flawed.

However, in a projet lodged yesterday, they said that if the States agreed to the revisions, the plan would become ‘more robust and rigorous’.

Environment said: ‘As a result of the review, the committee are proposing that 29 of the sites (in the built-up area zone) be designated as important open spaces and so afforded additional protection from development.’ Most of the sites are public amenity spaces within residential developments, but they also include private amenity areas, play areas, school grounds and parish cemeteries.

They include land at Les Landes and Mont Nicolle primary schools and Haute Vallée, public amenity areas at Sandybrook residential home, St Mary’s Arsenal, St Peter’s Village, land to the south of Clos d’Avoine, St Brelade, Clos du Mont Séjour, St Helier and other estates, and cemeteries in Trinity and Grouville.

In addition, Environment are recommending five sites be rezoned to the built-up area zone: St John’s new rectory, the former Elmdale Hotel in St Lawrence, and Homefield, Grand Route de St Jean in St Helier, Manoir d’Aval in St Martin and Hillside in St Aubin.

They also want to rezone to the green zone two sites – Field 108A, Pontorson Lane in St Clement and properties and land on the escarpment above Rozel Harbour.