Civil servants get planning power

Planning officers can refuse permission to some applications

Jersey's planning and environment minister has given powers to some of his senior civil servants to make decisions in his absence.

Certain planning officers now have delegated powers to refuse to reconsider some planning applications.

They can also make decisions about dangerous structures, high hedges, works to Sites of Special Interest and work on any protected island tree.

They can also authorise grants for repairs to registered buildings.

Planning officers can refuse to reconsider decisions made by the planning application panel if there are no new factors which would see a different decision being reached.

The minister, Freddie Cohen, has also delegated most of the power he had under the Planning and Building Law and building by-laws to his assistant minster, Deputy Anne Pryke.

Deputy Prkye can now make major decisions when Senator Cohen is away.