An open session of Executive Council in Planning (ECiP) was held on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 in the Council Chamber.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:
OPEN AGENDA
1. Declarations of Conflict of Interest
2. Development Application – Retention of a Covered Area at the Mule Yard, Jamestown (ECiP Memo 01/2026)
2.1 Publicity/Briefings to the Press
3. Development Application – Installation of Fence at St Helena Coffee Shop, Jamestown (ECiP Memo 02/2026)
3.1 Publicity/Briefings to the Press
4. Development Application – Installation of Security Fencing and Crash Barrier at Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rupert’s Valley (ECIP Memo 03/2026)
- Publicity/Briefings to the Press
The Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Patricia Coyle, was in attendance along with members of the public.
All applications considered at the meeting were being referred to Governor in Council in accordance with the Direction issued on 14 June 2022 under section 23(1) of the Land Development Control Ordinance 2013 which requires the referral of applications for development of land (excluding street furniture installations, signage, gates, solar panels, safety equipment, alterations to existing windows and alterations to existing doors) within fifty metres of the sea.
At the meeting:
For each of the three applications listed below, Minister Karl Thrower set out the context before handing over to the CPO to describe the applications and recommendations as outlined in the published documentation.
HE The Governor then followed by opening the floor for questions and discussion which centred on the recommended conditions.
Development Application – Retention of a Covered Area at the Mule Yard, Jamestown (ECIP Memo 01/2026)
Governor in Council was asked to consider and advise whether Full Development Permission should be granted, with Conditions, as recommended for the Retention of a Covered Area at The Mule Yard, Jamestown.
This was a retrospective application seeking to retain the already erected roof that covers an extended area at the front of The Mule Yard bar.
Following deliberation, ECiP approved the development application, with conditions in line with the Land Development Control Authority (LCDA) and CPO recommendations. The approval is for two years from the date of approval. The reason for this is that the Applicant has a short term lease of the property and if permanent, this could prejudice future changes of lease holding and plans to improve the Wharf and seaside. . It was noted that the Applicant is required to paint the roof of the covered area and upstand between it and the band stand dark slate grey to match the existing roof colour of the bar.
Development Application – Installation of Fence at St Helena Coffee Shop, Jamestown (ECIP Memo 02/2026)
Governor in Council was asked to consider and advise whether Full Development Permission should be refused with reasons, as recommended for the Installation of the Fence at the St Helena Coffee Shop.
In terms of planning history, a retrospective application for the fence was refused by the LDCA on 6 June 2024, a decision subsequently upheld by Governor in Council on 23 July 2024. The Applicant later appealed, and the Land Development Appeals Tribunal (LDAT) heard the case on 7 July 2025, ultimately upholding the earlier refusals. This new proposal was submitted in response to the Tribunal’s ruling.
This application generated much discussion and debate amongst members.
Members acknowledged the need for improved security by the business to address antisocial behaviour experienced prior to the erection of the fence and the potential impact on the business owner of not having the fence, noting that the enforcement notice for the removal of the unauthorised picket fence is due to come into force in three months. However, they also recognised that substantial time and support had been provided to the Applicant to identify more suitable alternatives that aligned with the historical setting of the Grade I historical setting.
ECiP agreed with the recommendation of the Land Development Control Authority (LCDA) and Chief Planning Officer (CPO) recommendation that Full Development Permission be refused.