Strive's £55m airport hotel plan turned down

Three politicians voted in favour of the proposals from Strive Health Club but four members of the planning committee rejected them

An application to build a six-storey hotel and conference centre near Jersey Airport has been refused by the island's planning committee.

Three politicians on the committee voted in favour of the plans, while four members rejected them.

The £55m plans, which were put forward by Strive Health Club, included 179 bedrooms, 124 parking spaces, a spa and a swimming pool.

Speaking after the decision was confirmed, Strive managing director Ben Harvey told the BBC he intended to appeal.

Lee Madden, president of Jersey Chamber of Commerce said he did not agree with the planning committee's decision

All seven members of the planning committee told the hearing they agreed with the principle of a hotel on the site. But some raised concerns about the size and scale of the proposed facility.

Members also noted the application breached 21 policies in the Bridging Island Plan - the document which dictates how each area of land in Jersey can be used.

In its vote, the majority of committee members echoed the views of Jersey's planning department, which had recommended the application be refused.

Lee Madden, president of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, said he was "very disappointed" with the decision.

"I'm disappointed for Strive. I'm disappointed for the island," he said.

"We're missing an opportunity. We could bring real world-class hotel and conferencing facilities, we can bring in £60m a year to the economy for conferencing, and we've [the planning committee] just said 'no'.

"Is Jersey closed for business? Let's hope not."

Tricia Warwick, chief executive of Visit Jersey, said the hotel plan would have helped to "future-proof" the island's tourism industry

The hotel plan had also been backed by Visit Jersey, the body which promotes the island's tourism industry.

Chief executive Tricia Warwick said: "I think the idea we have some conference facility on the island that can cater to attracting more of that type of business, and also the sporting tourism that we talk about a lot, is really important to future-proof Jersey."

Deputy Jonathan Renouf described the proposed building as "absolutely colossal" but insisted he was not against the principle of a hotel on the site

But St Brelade Deputy Jonathan Renouf urged his political colleagues to reject the application.

Speaking ahead of the decision, he told the BBC: "I think the Strive Hotel that's being proposed is absolutely huge - especially in the context of where it's going, where there's no other building remotely on that scale.

"You know it's going to be a very, very imposing presence if it's built."

He continued: "I'm not opposed in principle to the idea of a hotel on that site, but the scale of this one is absolutely colossal and I think it would be very detrimental to the area."

The four planning committee members who voted against the application were Constables Philip Le Sueur and Richard Honeycombe, and Deputies Alex Curtis and Tom Coles.

The three who supported the plans were Deputy Steve Ahier, and Constables Mark Labey and Kevin Lewis.