Jersey College for Girls homes plan turned down

The guidelines include details of planning problems, such as the school's protected grounds and trees

Permission for a private developer to turn the former Jersey College of Girls into homes has been refused because the States wants it for social housing.

The Planning Minister refused to renew consent given a number of years ago which had lapsed.

The building has been empty since the college moved its facilities to Mont Millais in 2007.

Jersey Property Holdings will submit a fresh application for 183 homes, 40 of which are for social housing.

Planning permission had been given in 2006 and the development company had hoped it would be extended for a further three years.

Deputy Rob Duhamel, the Planning Minister, refused it because the Island Plan had changed since the original application was granted.