Housing
- We must meet the needs of the community, particularly our young people who are trying to get on to the property ladder for the first time.
- The planning process needs to be simplified and time constraints should be placed on developers who obtain planning permission.
- The States own a vast property portfolio, which is not adequately managed for the benefit of key stakeholders, the residents and tax payers of Jersey. This must change, so that affordable homes can be created on land already in public ownership.
- I will continue to campaign for a higher percentage of new builds to be available for affordable housing.
- I will explore methods of further reducing the cost of social housing.
- I will work towards utilising empty properties, glass houses and brownfield sites and not on green fields.
Inna Gardiner in the lanes of St. Helier
Environment:
Resilience – I will work towards a circular economy that is good for business, people and the environment.
Reducing waste – Many products could be circulated by being maintained, shared, reused, repaired, refurbished, remanufactured and, as a last resort, recycled.
Reducing air, water and soil pollution – I welcome the recent technologies that use less resources and reduce emissions and use renewable energy.
Best use of our environmental resources – I will help to conserve our natural heritage, encourage biodiversity, protection of trees and green spaces.
- Protect: The need to ensure the countryside and St. Helier alike, are sufficiently protected by legislation and the monitoring of air, water and soil pollution.
- Enhance: To balance between built and natural environment, including development of the green spaces in St. Helier and the open public spaces elsewhere in Jersey.
- Encourage: working as one eco-system
Connection between countryside and St Helier
Whilst St. Helier can be described as the powerhouse of the local economy, the natural environment is what defines Jersey. It is the countryside and the natural environments that give Jersey its unique appearance, culture and customs. As we embrace the new cultures arriving in Jersey, it is still important to preserve long established traditions we hold dear.
I see a day where the connection between the countryside and St. Helier is stronger; where local farmers sell directly to St. Helier residents. Where we all proudly buy locally grown fruit and vegetables, and local produce is cherished and preferred over imported produce, which will consequently help local farm shops and markets to thrive.
Every part of Jersey is connected. The closure of the reservoirs shows how interconnected we all are, with farmers choosing to use less pesticides and nitrates to safeguard the drinking water supply for all Jersey residents.
“Going green” is all about the countryside. Then choosing to use less plastic packaging in the shops of St. Helier, we are protecting the larger environment, which in turn protects St. Helier. When the biodiversity of the countryside suffers, we all suffer,. When we lose countryside through development, we all lose some of the unique identity of Jersey, and everybody is affected by this.
Read more about my views on Food Systems and Food Security