Secure better protection of the character of the island and open space, especially in St. Clement

“Isn’t St. Helier so much prettier than St. Peter Port?”

The above is a line I don’t expect many people have either said or heard. In fact, the feeling of arriving in to Jersey to be confronted by some of our recent developments leads many locals and visitors alike to possibly think ’they’ve made a pigs ear of it’ - and they may be right.

It can be easy to think that ensuring new development integrates with a defined or chosen ‘character’ holds back progress - but thoughtful and respectful design is shown to improve the success, appeal and vitality of a place.

Jersey has had several vernaculars and styles over the centuries, with our farm buildings adopting a unique style and size different to those in other jurisdictions - our town (having mostly grown and been rebuilt in the 1800s) demonstrating a particular rhythm, and our coastline having a range of ribbon development.

We have, however, allowed plenty of development that has damaged the character of the island. Bland white glass boxes, enclosed and gated designs - and completely out-of-place and skyline ruining schemes such as the Horizon flats.

It’s not too late

It would be easy to say ‘The damage has been done’ but there is still so much that is ‘pretty’ and characterful in Jersey - that enriches our experience as islanders of our home.

As such, we must ‘double down’ on good design, in a positive way. Creating new architecture that respects what we have and is at a human scale can be our strength.

There are already some guides to steer development, such as the St Helier Urban Character Appraisal and the Jersey Integrated Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment (ILSCA), but we need clearer and firmed policies and directions to ensure clarity for those proposing development.

We should revisit height guidance and clarify this in absolute terms, not number of floors (that has led to criticism from Planning inspectors for its ambiguity), and work on the concept of ‘conservation areas’ that can enable location specific guidance.

We must also ensure that greater protection is given to ensuring true greenery is protected. This includes the gaps between sites staying sufficiently open where they back on to escarpments, and that sites which are mostly nature or green, even in the built up area, have more consideration to their retention as open space.

Lastly, I want to stress that greater care for protecting our character doesn’t stop architectural progress. Across the world, brilliant schemes blend old and new. There is a place for floor to ceiling glass, new materials and flat roofs, but these are delivered best when they respect and integrate with what is around them, and especially when these new features are retained at the human scale that most development in Jersey still retains.