Ozouf gets permission for 18 homes on family farm

Friday 24 July 2015

Multi-million pound plans to develop a traditional Jersey farmhouse into apartments and houses have been approved by politicians.

The property – Highstead on Rue de Tapon in Saviour – is owned by Senator Philip Ozouf, who is a director of the company that put forward the development application.

After a debate yesterday afternoon, the Planning Applications Panel unanimously passed the proposals to refurbish the property and create 18 homes there.

A statement from the Planning department said that the plans had been passed despite the fact that agricultural buildings should ideally remain in use where possible.

The statement said: "Under existing Green Zone policy, agricultural buildings should stay in use for employment where possible.

"Owners are expected to advertise to attract new tenants.

"The existing barns and agricultural shed at Highstead have been marketed without success so the department considered that the conversion of barns to homes is acceptable as long as, in line with Green Zone policy, there are environmental benefits to the conversion."

The plans had been modified after discussion with the Planning department, and Augres Enterprise Ltd will have to create a new footpath, fund junction improvements for road access and make a donation to the Eastern Cycle Route as part of a contribution to allow the development to go ahead.

Senator Ozouf has been a States Member since 1999. He spent the last six years as Treasury Minister, and was appointed an Assistant Chief Minister with responsible for the finance and digital sectors after the November election.