Planning system now 'better equipped' to meet need

More planning applications are being dealt with by their target deadline after the service was reformed, a government report said.

It found that 85% of cases were decided within their target in 2025, compared with the previous year when the target was not met.

Minister for the Environment Deputy Steve Luce said improvements were needed as "applications were taking too long, confidence had weakened, and relationships with parts of the development industry were under strain".

It followed a 2023 review that said response times for dealing with inquiries and determining applications were below targets and relationships needed to be rebuilt with developers, with better IT to deal with the demand.

Luce said other changes included improvements to the pre-application service to help applicants get "clearer advice earlier in the process" which helped them create "better prepared" submissions.

There was a 22% increase in request for pre-application advice between 2024 and 2025.

The report said there had also been improvements with how the planning team dealt with paperwork for larger complex proposals were used for affordable housing schemes.

It said, after clearing historic cases in 2024, the department saw "a more balanced and stable workflow" last year.

In 2025 1,130 applications were determined, including 850 minor and 280 major plans - 149 fewer than in 2024.

These included 321 new homes - with 128 new affordable homes on La Grande Route de St Pierre, St Peter, 16 affordable homes in St John, 38 affordable properties in St Saviour, and 37 in St Ouen.

Jersey's new hospital also won planning permission.

Luce said: "Planning shapes where islanders live, work and invest, and it is essential that the system is fair, efficient and trusted."

He said the system was "now more transparent, more responsive and better equipped to support the sustainable, high‑quality future our island deserves".

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