Larger homes, but fewer parking spaces

Supplementary planning guidance was issued towards the end of 2023, setting out new rules for the minimum internal space for new homes and guidelines for associated parking areas in Jersey.

The rationale was to bring planning guidance in line with the Island’s approach to the climate emergency and to meet changing housing needs.

It was noted that most of new homes would be in already built-up areas, so a higher density of development would be encouraged to ensure that Jersey’s limited supply of land was put to best use.

Denser forms of development, such as flats and maisonettes, could create “thriving and vibrant communities” whilst other homes could be created by the extension or alteration of existing homes or through changing existing buildings to residential use.

What are the key updates in the guidance?

In recognition of the need to improve health and quality of life, the minimum gross internal area for a single-occupancy one-storey dwelling has increased from 34.5sqm to 41/43sqm (the UK equivalent is 39 sqm).

The minimum combined floor area for living, dining and kitchen spaces has been raised to 21sqm for a single-occupancy dwelling and 24sqm for a two-person home, and the internal and external storage requirements were also increased.

Updates to parking provisions and sustainable transport

New housing developments will now be able to include reduced parking provision, with a maximum of one parking space per dwelling being proposed in St Helier’s town centre to encourage walking or the use of more sustainable forms of transport.

Outside the town centre, minimum levels of car parking are to be set by balancing the need to accommodate cars while supporting a move to more sustainable modes of transport. For the first time, standards for bicycle parking spaces have been set, with a minimum of one being required for a single-occupancy one-bedroom home, together with requirements for electric vehicle charging points.

Conclusion

Only time will tell whether enough people want to live in Jersey’s town centre to develop the vibrant community that the policy aims to encourage, and whether alternative means of transport will be embraced to reduce the reliance upon cars.

Outside of the built up areas, there remains a significant barrier to the creation of new homes in the form of the limitations on the Jersey drainage system.