'Crossing the road is an absolute nightmare'

Patricia Blandin said there needs to be a master-plan for the area

A Jersey woman has warned about road safety in St Saviour following a decision to build more homes near Five Oaks.

On Thursday, a planning committee approved proposals for 38 on land between Les Cinq Chênes estate and St Michael's School.

Resident Patricia Blandin said: "You take your life in your hands every time you cross a road. I run, cycle, walk in this area every day and it's a nightmare, absolute nightmare."

Developer Andium Homes said that traffic concerns had been taken into account.

Local resident Sandra said there needs to be "safer roads"

The development, which will be built near the Les Cinq Chênes estate, has sparked fears that more housing will exacerbate traffic problems in the area, particularly around St Saviour's School, which lacks a zebra crossing for pedestrian safety.

"I think they need to have more play areas for the kids and safe roads," resident Sandra said.

Errol Mittoo added: "If you don't leave early enough in the morning, the traffic is built up so much down there. If they're going to build more houses, that's going to mean more cars."

Jonny Gough from Andium Homes said that traffic concerns have been taken into account.

Andium Homes, the island's largest provider of social housing, has reassured the public that traffic concerns had been taken into account.

Jonny Gough from the firm said: "The option we have chosen is two access options onto Rue des Friquettes, and that is deemed the best and most suitable and safest option for this site."

Despite these assurances, questions remained about the safety of vehicle movements in the area, particularly near St Michael's School.

St Saviour's Constable Kevin Lewis voted against the development, arguing that the parish had already absorbed new housing:"We're doing our fair share, but enough is enough in St Saviour now," he said.

Deputy Sam Mézec, Minister for Housing, acknowledged the difficulty of the issue.

"We have a housing crisis and people who are desperate for family-sized homes," he said.

However, he warned against excessive development that could lead to "concreting over the whole island".

Andium hoped people would be able to move into these new homes by the end of 2026.

There were currently more than 150 families waiting for a three- or four-bedroom rental and 700 people on the Help to Buy scheme.