It’s back… developers to return with revamped controversial scheme

Transport Minister Eddie Noel has asked Jersey Property Holdings and the Ports of Jersey, which are developing a new scheme, to bring forward a draft proposal before the States debate the issue of the incorporation of the Airport and Harbour on 24 March.

• 1996 – the Sea Cadets are granted £600,000 by the States as seed money for a new headquarters.
• 2000 – although planning permission has been granted for scheme to rehouse the Sea Cadets funding cannot be secured and the project is abandoned.
• 2013 – rumours of a new harbour-side community development begin to emerge.
• early 2014 – talks are held with groups and stakeholders based near the Victoria Pier about a major development
• November 2014 – plans for the Port Galots project are unveiled, but a major campaign against the scheme is launched.
• December 2014 – the Planning Department reveals that the Port Galots application is the most commented on application in the department’s history. Many of the comments are objections being registered through a petition, which eventually gains around 5,000 signatures.
• January 2015 – Port Galots plans are withdrawn and politicians confirm that the Les Galots area will not be considered for residential development, but still remains a viable site for the Sea Cadets. At the first States sitting of the year Transport Minister Eddie Noel tells the Chamber that just £107,000 of the States initial £600,000 grant is left, with most of the money having been spent on professional fees for unrealised projects.[/breakout]

He has also pledged to work with key stakeholders about the plans in order to gain their support at the earliest possible stage.

Last year a row broke out over the project, which was due to be called Port Galots, to create a maritime hub on land below Mount Bingham that included 18 harbourside apartments.

A campaign against the plans, which also provided community maritime facilities, a restaurant and a new headquarters for the Sea Cadets, was launched and the scheme was eventually formally withdrawn by the developers.

Following that, responsibility for the project was passed to Jersey Property Holdings, which looks after States buildings and land, and the Ports of Jersey, which is responsible for the administration of the harbour area.

‘I told them that Jersey Property Holdings and the Ports of Jersey would work with them on any proposal prior to any revised scheme being submitted to Planning.

‘It is my wish that any future scheme will have the appropriate stakeholders’ support.

‘I have asked officers of Jersey Property Holdings and the Ports of Jersey to bring forward a draft workable solution for consideration before the ports’ incorporation debate to give stakeholders a clear direction of what is happening.’

Earlier this year the Ports of Jersey revealed that creating a new Sea Cadets headquarters could form part of a wider plan to regenerate run-down areas of the marina.

The Port Galots controversy:

THE row over plans to rehouse the Sea Cadets erupted before Christmas when proposals were put forward to develop land known as Les Galots, below Mount Bingham.

• The unit receives £10,000 a year from the States, which accounts for 40 per cent of the group’s annual running costs of £25,000.
• TS Jersey is included in the Sea Cadets Southern Area and is one of 70 units in the region.
• Since 1956 the unit has ranked in the top ten per cent of units in the Southern Area each year after assessment.
• TS Jersey has won the Stephenson Trophy – the award given to each area’s best unit – 15 times.
• The best units go on to compete against other UK units for the Canada Trophy, which Jersey has won twice.
• TS Jersey meets regularly on Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Cadets can also study towards a B-Tech diploma in public service or music with the unit. The qualification is the equivalent of four C-grade GCSEs.[/breakout]

It was suggested that a maritime hub be created at the site to provide the group with a new headquarters as well as other facilities for sea-based activities.

However, traders in the area and other users began to campaign against the project, which the States said was to be paid for by developing a complex of 18 flats at the site.

Eventually the plans were withdrawn, but new discussions are currently being held over how and where the Sea Cadets can be rehomed.

Lt Bonjour, who said that being Commanding Officer for the unit took up a significant amount of his time, added: ‘We have been here since 1971, which is just over 44 years. At the time it would have been ideal to have a brand spanking new unit. We’ve got seven underground chambers that all have water ingress, it costs a fortune to heat if you get a very cold winter, and it’s very damp. It’s a typical sold concrete building with a flat roof.

‘We have a £10,000 annual grant from the States through the Home Affairs Department, which is fantastic, but everything else we have to beg and borrow from charitable organisations and financial institutions.

‘We also get some assistance from the Ministry of Defence, who supply us with uniforms.

‘The Sea Cadets is about a commitment to the youth of the Island. We’ve got a tremendous reputation, not just in the Island, but externally as well. Ideally our headquarters would be as close to water as possible, so that we can get straight into the sea.’