Revised plan to develop waterfront 'addresses issues'

Jersey Development Company said it had carefully reviewed feedback from a previous refusal

The developer behind a project to reshape St Helier's waterfront has invited community feedback on its second attempt to get the scheme approved.

Jersey Development Company (JDC) said its plan to build hundreds of homes had been revised to address a "number of issues".

When plans were first submitted, Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf rejected the proposal, citing insufficient affordable housing and failure to reconnect St Helier with the waterfront.

JDC said it had reviewed the five reasons for the previous planning refusal.

Plans are proposed for an area of St Helier waterfront

At the time, a panel said the decision was made "in line" with policies outlined in the Bridging Island Plan 2022, with "too many areas" of the application in need of "significant changes".

It said the application provided insufficient improvements to La Route de la Liberation, leaving a "largely untamed highway" separating the Waterfront from town.

It also noted there was "substantial excavation to create basement areas for parking and servicing" which would create contaminated waste, for which there is "no satisfactory waste management solution".

Lee Henry, JDC chief executive, said at a briefing on Tuesday there would be a greater focus on landscaping with improved connectivity from town to the waterfront a "major component".

He said plans for the extension of La Collette waste site would provide capacity for the "waste arisings" from the future development.

'Careful consideration'

JDC said three of the five reasons for refusal were related to "public policy and infrastructure matters" outside of its direct control, but which had now been "concluded by the government".

The firm said it had given "careful consideration" to islander feedback leading to the retention of a cinema, AquaSplash swimming pool and improved pedestrian access to and from town.

Phase one proposals include a redesigned Les Jardins de La Mer and a new children's jet play area.

An outdoor swimming pool with eight lanes and suitable for water polo, with a cafe, sauna and changing facilities, are also included in plans.

This computer-generated image shows a proposed walkway

Mr Henry said the scheme must comply with planning policies in the Bridging Island Plan and Southwest St Helier Planning Framework, as well as the St Helier Urban Character Appraisal.

With no government funding for the project, he said returns from residential and commercial accommodation must cover the costs of public infrastructure and public open spaces.

JDC said it would continue public engagement, with all islanders invited to take part in a survey running until 4 December.

Meanwhile, it said a question and answer session was planned for mid-November, with survey results to be published in January 2025, with stakeholder engagement in March 2025 and a revised planning application due at the end of April 2025.