The Jersey Assembly has passed a new regulation requiring all new residential developments to include designated car parking spaces, a move set to impact thousands of drivers and raise concerns over housing affordability and environmental goals.
The initiative was introduced by Constable Simon Crowcroft, who highlighted a prevailing bias in current planning policies that often exclude parking in new St Helier housing projects. Crowcroft emphasized the growing number of properties under construction in St Helier, criticizing developments that provide significantly fewer parking spaces than the number of units available.
He pointed to a recent example where a building with twice as many residential units as parking spaces left many residents without the ability to own a car, which he considers a fundamental right, especially within the town. Crowcroft expressed concern that developers are exploiting existing rules to avoid providing parking, primarily to reduce costs, negatively affecting residents' access to personal vehicles.
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However, not all Assembly members supported the plan. Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce described the proposal as “disastrous,” warning it could increase construction costs and further strain an already challenged development industry. Luce argued that the added expenses would ultimately reduce the affordability of new homes, complicating efforts to address housing needs.
The debate underscores the tension between supporting residents' parking needs and balancing economic and environmental considerations in urban planning.