St Helier hotel and housing scheme approved by minister

Plans to build more than 230 homes and a hotel in St Helier approved

Planning permission has been granted for a £120m hotel and housing development in Jersey after it was originally refused.

Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Tom Binet signed a ministerial decision to approve the Les Sablons development in St Helier.

The scheme was rejected for a second time in October for exceeding the height limit.

Developers Le Masurier appealed the decision.

The scheme would see more than 230 homes and a hotel with 103 rooms built on more than two acres of land between Broad Street and Commercial Street.

Deputy Binet, who was made decision-maker on the project after the Royal Court appeal, said he saw "no reason" not to approve the development.

He said: "I have accepted and agreed with the findings, recommendations and reasoning of the Planning Inspector and see no reason not to grant approval based on the evidence outlined to me."

Brian McCarthy, Le Masurier's managing director, said he was delighted with the decision.

"It has been a challenging journey spanning many years, as we have gone through this complex and costly process, but we believe that Les Sablons is worth fighting for," he said.

"Our decision to challenge what I believe is a fundamentally broken planning system has paid off."

Deputy Hilary Jeune, Assistant Minister for Environment, in October found the proposal "significantly exceeded" the height range guidance for the town.

In the refusal letter, Ms Jeune said the plans would be "overbearing and oppressive and of detriment to the amenity and character of the street".

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