SoJDC to progress Fort Regent redevelopment plans

The SoJDC said that it was "not in a position to comment" on how Fort Regent might be used in future

The States of Jersey Development Company (SoJDC) will take responsibility for the future redevelopment of Fort Regent, the infrastructure minister has said.

The announcement was made in a letter from Constable Andy Jehan in response to questions from the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel.

Sports clubs are due to move out of the Fort in St Helier between September and December 2025 after work began last month to build an £8.4m sports hall at Oakfield.

The SoJDC, which is owned by the government, said it was "not in a position to comment" on how Fort Regent might be used in the future.

Constable Andy Jehan told scrutiny in May he believed the redevelopment of Fort Regent would take three to four years to complete

A number of different ideas for the Fort have been put forward over the years, including a sky walk, university and restoring the ramparts.

In June 2021, Chief Minister John Le Fondre unveiled proposals for a casino, hotel and bowling alley at the site, along with a cinema, an Eden Project style winter garden and a 2,500 capacity venue.

But in 2023 Deputy Kristina Moore's Council of Ministers described those plans as "unfeasible in the current economic climate", leading to questions over the site's future.

'Early stages'

Following the change of government earlier in 2024, Mr Jehan told scrutiny in May he believed the redevelopment of Fort Regent would take three to four years to complete.

He said "exciting" plans, including a skate park, children's play area, youth and other leisure facilities, would be revealed later this year.

Mr Jehan's new letter provides the first indication the SoJDC, rather than the government, would progress plans to redevelop the Fort.

The BBC has asked Mr Jehan for an interview.

In a written statement in response to questions from the BBC, the organisation said: "The States of Jersey Development Company are aware of the letter sent from The Infrastructure Minister to the Chair of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel regarding SoJDC progressing Fort Regent.

"Discussions regarding the project are still in the early stages and SoJDC are not in a position to comment at this stage."