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New rules to protect the look and feel of some of Jersey's most iconic areas could be in place early in 2024 – with St Aubin emerging as front-runner to receive special status.
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf has earmarked St Aubin as the first zone to be given the official designation of 'Conservation Area' as part of a move to protect the character and history of designated parts of the island.
The village was included on a list of potential Conservation Areas in the Bridging Island Plan, with the potential for four such areas to be set up by the end of 2025.
The Bridging Island Plan – the blueprint for development around the island agreed by politicians last year – states that the first Conservation Areas should be drawn from the following list: St Aubin; historic areas of St Helier; areas around the parish churches of Grouville, St Lawrence, St Martin, Trinity, St Ouen, St Peter and St Clement; Gorey Village and Gorey Pier; Rozel Harbour.
The previous Environment Minister, John Young, had singled out Havre des Pas as a priority to protect within St Helier.
The rules are likely to works that are visible from a public road or the foreshore or works that are deemed likely to have an impact on the character of an area.
Property tweaks that could be subject to controls range from windows and doors to roof coverings and fences, external painting and illumination.
However, the proposed rules – which are laid out in full here – are yet to be set in stone. The Minister is currently seeking views from the public before coming back with an official proposal next year.
The concept was originally put forward in the 1987 Island Plan, but was not taken forward until it was supported by the States Assembly in 2021, giving ministers legal powers to designate such areas.
"Having lived in a Conservation Area in London for the many years, I have always been appreciative of the way in which they maintain and improve the quality of the built environment," he said.
Pictured: Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf.
“The designation of Conservation Areas is not designed to stop change, but because of their special character there is a need to enhance the level of planning control, especially when works are visible from a public perspective, such as from public roads or the beach," he added.
Islanders are encouraged to have their say by studying the proposed changes online here and submitting their feedback.
Comments may also be sent by email to islandplan@gov.je or by post to the main Government office at Broad Street in St Helier.
Pictured top: St Aubin's Harbour at high tide snapped by Dave Ferguson, and an historic view of the area courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive.
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