Rozel home plan rejected as "too prominent"

Saturday 10 December 2016

Plans for a two-bedroom home above Rozel Harbour have been rejected by the Planning Committee with members citing concerns about its appearance of "prominence" over the beauty spot.

The submitted plans called for the demolition of an existing two-bedroom, detached home at the site.

It was proposed that it be replaced with a more modern design, two-bedroom property with improved parking facilities.

St Martin's Conservation Trust and Jersey National Trust both objected to the design of the proposed home during the public consultation.

"The application does not appear to comply with policy for the Coastal National Park (CNP)," St Martin Conservation Trust wrote to Planning on 3 November. "Certainly, the changed aspect, which instead of presenting a gable end obliquely toward the sea faces it more head on, results in a larger expanse of glass being visible from Rozel Harbour and the sea."

Appearing for the Trust at the meeting this week, Anthony Gibb said their primary concern is the increasing use of glazing in new island properties in general. Mr Gibb said while he understands the appeal to homebuilders, the reflective glass looks less appealing to the beholder, especially from the sea. 

"It has an enormous impact on everyone looking at it," he said. Mr Gibb suggested the plans simply needed refining to reduce the effects of glare.

In its objection, the National Trust said the building appeared too large. "The principle of demolition and replacement of a building in the CNP is only accepted if there is a demonstrable environmental gain, such as reduced visual scale or reduced mass and volume of a building," the Trust wrote. "In all cases replacement buildings should not be larger than that being replaced in terms of group floorspace, building footprint, or visual impact."

Appearing for the applicant, architect Chris Dunne of D3 Architecture said the existing home on the site is in such terrible condition, that it was on the market for over a year despite its "fantastic location".

He said he did not believe glare would be problem, as the building faces North and therefore for most of the year there would be no reflection.

He added that neighbours were pleased with the proposed design and even expressed surprise that it was only for a two-bedroom home.

But despite a recommendation of approval from Planning Officer Lawrence Davies, the Planning Committee members Juliette Gallichan, Philip Le Sueur, Jeremy Macon and Graham Truscott unanimously rejected the plans.

Ms Gallichan and other committee members said they had not been concerned about the proposed plan until they had looked up at the site from Rozel Harbour. 

"To me it's just a little to prominent (in appearance) for that area," said Ms Gallichan. "I would like to see it softened in some way."

Deputy Graham Truscott agreed, noting that the plans are "nearly there" but perhaps the glazing could be reduced.