Jersey Met’s Offshore Wind Project Gets Thumbs Up

The Planning Applications Panel has given the go ahead to Jersey Met’s three-year offshore wind project. The Met Department wants to find out more about the wind around Jersey’s territorial waters to inform future planning for renewable energy.

It applied for permission to put a mast and weather monitoring equipment on outlying rocks three kilometres from the main island of the Écréhous and six kilometres from the main island of the Minquiers.

The kit and masts will transmit information on wind resources around Jersey waters and inform discussions about harnessing wind energy. The data will also be used for weather forecasting and checking the forecasts, and Jersey Harbours will use the information to improve safety at sea.

 Protection of seabirds

Jersey Met has undertaken to help protect bird colonies on the reefs, in line with advice offered by bird experts at the Société Jersiaise. The 10 metre mast and weather monitoring equipment will not be put in place during the bird nesting season, and the mast will be erected without the usual supporting guy lines which can pose a risk to flying birds.

Principal Meteorological Officer, Tony Pallot, was pleased with the Panel’s decision. He said: “This permission is the result of a great deal of hard work within the Department of the Environment. We have listened carefully and responded to the genuine environmental concerns raised, particularly in relation to the protection of seabirds. The resulting scheme will provide the important data we need for the future.”

 Adventure park gets go ahead for indoor play area

The owners of the aMaizin! Adventure Park have been granted permission to build an indoor play area for children at their La Hougue Farm premises. The panel approved plans to build a playbarn, to reconfigure the previously approved office and shop entrance and to build a link extension to the café.

 Fiscal stimulus funds to upgrade homes

The Housing Department has had plans to upgrade States homes at Osborne Court in St Helier approved. The department can now use fiscal stimulus funds to refurbish the 23 units of accommodation, both inside and out, to bring them up to Decent Homes Standard. The project also includes plans to build new roofs over the existing buildings and to install lifts for residents.

 Paintballing – yes, but not here says panel

The Panel decided four members to three to refuse an application for the use of part of a field in St. Lawrence for paint balling. The application generated significant opposition from residents and also a good measure of support from local enthusiasts. In rejecting the application, the whole panel expressed support for a facility of this type, if the right location is found.

[mappress]

Press release, April 29, 2013; Image: gl