Waterfront redevelopment: What do people think?

Waterfront resident Kim Carpenter would like to see more commercial activity

Plans to redevelop Jersey's waterfront have prompted feedback from 1,500 people.

The Jersey Development Company (JDC) wants to reshape St Helier's waterfront and invited community feedback on its second attempt to get the scheme approved.

JDC said it had reviewed the five reasons for the previous planning refusal before presenting a revised scheme.

BBC News has been speaking to people in St Helier to hear their views on the latest plans.

Kim Carpenter, 68, lives in a flat at the waterfront built by the JDC.

She said she was yet to see the latest development plans but said the "first set of ideas were absolute rubbish".

Ms Carpenter said she wanted to see the empty commercial units in the area used as soon as possible.

She said: "It takes a lot of time, there's one setting up soon as a wine bar and restaurant and there's a café meant to be coming, but I think there should be more. I hope it's not because the rent is too high."

Ruth Young said the waterfront was "too quiet" at the moment

Ms Carpenter's friend Ruth Young lives in the west of the island but spends a lot of time at the waterfront in St Helier.

She said the area is currently "too quiet" and needs "more hustle and bustle".

"More entertainment, more going on, more jazz bars, more things for older people, more things for younger people, maybe coffee bars - I don't know, just more life," she said.

Harry McAlinden said he was concerned about van drivers not being able to park in town if Les Jardins de la Mer car park was removed

Painter and decorator Harry McAlinden said he was worried about plans to redevelop the outdoor Les Jardins de La Mer car park.

He said the JDC's proposals to remove the 520-space car park were "ridiculous" as tradesmen were already turning down work in town due to a lack of parking.

The JDC said planning regulation meant it would have to retain 520 parking spaces at the waterfront.

It has plans to relocate 100 spaces underground but no detail on what would happen to the remaining 420 spaces.

It said the government was aware of the need for parking suitable for commercial van drivers.

Former planning minister John Young said the States should help fund the waterfront redevelopment

At a public meeting hosted by the JDC on 20 November, John Young, a former minister for planning, said he was worried about the 12-year timeline for the project.

He said: "I really think the States needs to put some capital funding into supporting this project and get on the best we can."

He said he also had a "major reservation" about the plans for an outdoor 50m (164ft) pool at Les Jardins de la Mer.

He said there was "desperate need" to replace the indoor 50m (164ft) pool at Fort Regent.

Architect Alison Horton, who attended a public meeting put on by the JDC, said the plans should include the whole of St Helier

Alison Horton, who also attended the meeting, said the plans were "much better than the last iteration but it's still not strong enough".

The architect said she wanted developers to have a more courageous vision for the town as a whole.

She said: "It's not just about the waterfront, it's about the whole of St Helier. I'd like to start walking through town and have a beautiful route that goes all the way through."

Lee Henry, JDC chief executive, said it was great to hear people's views at the meeting.

He said he would take the community's questions and concerns into consideration as the waterfront plans progress.

He said the JDC hopes to submit a planning application for the project in May 2025.