- Parishioners in St Brelade have been invited to public meeting to comment on plans for the Jersey International Finance Centre
- Deputy Montfort Tadier has arranged the forum and wants the States to hold a referendum on the issue
- He says he is ‘unconvinced’ because of the States’ track record of building projects
- Should every parish have its say? Take part in our poll below
A PARISH meeting is to be held in St Brelade to give residents the chance to comment on the plans for the Jersey International Finance Centre on the Esplanade car park.
- Developers say that the six-office development would be the Islands business hub, providing 470,000 square feet of grade-A office space
- It is the first phase of the wider redevelopment of the so-called Esplanade Quarter
- It is one of the Jersey Development Companys flagship projects
- Senior politicians have backed the project, saying that it is needed to keep Jersey competitive in attracting new businesses
- Critics have said that the States should leave office development to the private sector[/breakout]
Deputy Montfort Tadier, who has arranged the meeting, hopes it will provide feedback for a States debate on his proposition to hold a referendum on whether the project should go ahead.
Deputy Tadier said he would welcome all views at the meeting, but that he was not convinced by the scheme, which is being led by the States-owned Jersey Development Company.
The meeting is due to be held at Communicare in St Brelade from 7 pm on Wednesday 20 May and Deputy Tadier hopes that it will prompt other Deputies and Constables to hold similar public meetings on the subject.
The meeting follows a letter from environmental campaigners Save Our Shoreline, who have asked all States Members to urge those behind the project to halt its progress until there is greater consensus about the potential financial risks involved.
To date the JDC has received planning permission for three of the project’s six buildings, as well as the underground parking that has been proposed. The group is understood to be in ‘advanced’ talks with a number of potential tenants, but it is bound by a memorandum of understanding with the States not to begin development until a sufficient number of legally binding pre-lease agreements are obtained.
Deputy Tadier said: ‘I am open minded but, like many, at present I am unconvinced. The States does not have a good track record when it comes to development in this part of St Helier.
‘We already have a vacant nightclub at the Waterfront and a disused swimming pool at Fort Regent.
‘I do not want to stand back and see another expensive white elephant built when we have an opportunity to reconsider if the current plans represent best use and public value for the site.
‘This is a significant decision and it is important that we get it right. I hope that other Deputies or Constables in other parishes will hold their own meetings and listen to their constituents to better inform the forthcoming debate.’
ISLANDERS who want to have their say on St Helier’s future are being invited to take part in workshops at the Town Hall later this month.
Environment Minister Steve Luce says he wants to hear people’s views on the regeneration of town and to find out what matters to them and why.
The move comes after ministers listed the regeneration of St Helier as one of their priorities in the Strategic Plan – a document which will guide States policies for the next three years.
He said: ‘The regeneration of St Helier is a priority for the Council of Ministers and it is important that we listen to those with a stake in its future – residents, businesses and others who use and visit town – to understand what is important to them in developing our plans for the future of our capital. These initial workshops will help us better understand what is valued and the areas we need to focus on.’
The workshops are due to take place on Saturday 30 May from 9 am to 4 pm and on Sunday 31 May from 9.30 am to noon.
They will focus on three areas: travel and transport, urban living and environment, and identity and community.
The Saturday event is open to individuals, groups or organisations with a direct interest in town, and they must apply in advance to take part. The Sunday morning will take the form of a public drop-in session and will include feedback from the previous day’s work. Those wishing to book a place on the Saturday should contact Kevin Pilley on 448441 or email futuresthelier@gov.je.
