Jersey’s Planning Minister, Senator Mark Boleat, has attempted to quietly lay the groundwork for reducing the minimum space requirements for new apartments built in town, but has forgotten to ask the opinion of the people who really matter – those who might end up living in them.
Despite minimum space standards being increased just under a year ago, Senator Boleat has begun his attempt to U-turn on this progress and leave the door open for more unsuitably small homes to cram St Helier.
On 14th October, the Minister launched a consultation asking respondents multiple questions which presuppose reducing Jersey’s minimum space standards to be more comparable with the lower standards currently in force in England. But rather than place this consultation on the Government of Jersey’s website, as is standard practice, the survey was instead mailed directly to a selected collection of interest groups that did not include the public at large.
No evidence of this short consultation (with a closing date of 11th November) was initially available on the government’s website, until this discrepancy had been highlighted on social media and raised in the States Assembly yesterday.
Islanders have already made their feelings clear
The consultation document is notable for its inclusion of tables comparing Jersey’s standards with those of England, as evidence to consider when responding, but makes no reference to evidence that has been gathered about the perspective of Islanders on the housing offer in Jersey and what matters to them.
There is little excuse for such an omission, given the evidence that has been collected on this subject. Most recently, the 2024 Opinions and Lifestyle Survey confirmed that 64% of those who lived in studio apartments were not satisfied with their accommodation and only 28% of those living in St Helier reported that they are satisfied with their accommodation.
With a falling birth rate and greater emigration of Jersey’s young people, it should not take a rocket scientist to work out that living conditions play a huge part for young people determining where they believe their future lies. When the only options available to those in their early 20s appear to be to pay an eye-watering amount of money for a home not even big enough to store sentimental possessions or have a friend round for company, or resign themselves to a cost and standard of living that will never afford them the chance to save up for financial independence or start a family, who can blame them for looking for a life elsewhere?
Rather than addressing these issues, the Minister seeks to prioritise the profits of developers and investors, rather than the quality of life of his constituents.
Senator Boleat (who himself lives in a large farmhouse he purchased for £1.7m) is well known to support reducing housing standards in town, including eliminating the requirements for new homes in town to come with parking. Will this be the next attack he launches, just months after the States Assembly agreed a proposition from the previous Constable of St Helier to ensure parking provision for town residents is protected?
There is something particularly galling about politicians who enjoy luxuries themselves whilst demanding that others make do with less.
Of course, developers and investors may welcome the opportunity to squeeze more flats onto the same piece of land.
But will those homes actually become more affordable? Or will Islanders simply end up paying the same extortionate prices for less space?
Have your say?
Now the consultation is available on the government’s website, it is possible for members of the public respond. However, they are not included on the list of responders that the survey is requesting, and will need to specify they are not part of a company or organisation when asked to fill in this compulsory box.
The deadline is 11 November 2026.
If you think the people who actually have to live in Jersey’s homes deserve as much of a say as the people who profit from building them, make your voice heard.