The Island will face a number of economic challenges in future years whether it is from the ageing population or a new economic and financial world post 'credit crunch'. This will require that economic policy remains focused on delivering economic growth based on productivity improvements with low inflation. This will be necessary if the standard of living of Islanders is to continue to improve and we are to deliver high quality public services with low corporate and personal taxes. This policy provides a useful starting point for anyone considering making a planning application and will help ensure that important matters related to the assessment of development applications are rigorously, comprehensively and consistently considered. The general development control considerations can be summarized around the following six main themes: Sustainable development; Impact on the environment; Impact on neighbouring land and users; Value of the development; Travel and transport; and Design quality. The development and use of land clearly has environmental implications. Biodiversity is the variety of life-forms that we see around us. It includes the whole range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and other invertebrates, plants, fungi and micro-organisms. Although the preservation of important species and habitats contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, there is also a need to influence what happens in the wider environment. Most uses of land and water have some impact on biodiversity. In addition, patterns of resource consumption, energy use and transport have an impact on biodiversity. The planning system can also play a vital role in helping to ensure that new developments through their location and design are resilient to the consequences of climate change including flooding, coastal erosion and higher global temperatures. The desirability of using land efficiently and reducing, and adapting to, the impacts of climate change have to be a key consideration given the environmental challenges that we currently face. If Jersey is to demonstrate a commitment to an environmental responsibility, it needs to continue to develop a co-ordinated response to current environmental challenges that manages the Island’s limited resources – and particularly land and buildings - in the most efficient and effective way that ensures the most sustainable pattern and form of development for the Island. In planning terms, this is most applicable to matters such as; the location of development to promote environmental and social sustainability whilst seeking to minimise vulnerability to the effects of climate change; the efficient and effective use of resources, in particular energy, land and buildings; promoting renewable and low-carbon sources of energy supply and supporting infrastructure; and safeguarding productive agricultural land in order to increase the security of local food supplies.
Джерси (Великобритания) · 2011-01-01