Earlier this year, the Planning Committee gave permission for the development to go ahead despite opposition from a number of nearby residents who subsequently lodged an appeal.
However, Jonathan King, a UK planning inspector brought to the Island to rule on the application, has found in favour of developers Brookfield Tunnell Street Holdings Ltd.
In the light of Mr King’s report, Assistant Environment Minister Steve Pallett has dismissed the appeal and will allow developers to build, subject to a number of conditions.
A document outlining the objections of residents living in Tunnell Street – compiled by Paul and Sharon Fox – claimed that the design was not in keeping with surrounding buildings, that the immediate area would become overcrowded and that not enough car parking had been included within the plans.
However, in a 29-page report, Mr King stated he did not believe that nearby residents would be unreasonably affected by noise or their due expectation of privacy breached.
And there were ‘no grounds’ to object to the development with regards to traffic or parking, he ruled. Mr King also said that the project was likely to achieve its aims to regenerate the area and was generally in accordance with the Island Plan, which sets Jersey’s planning policy.
Under the conditions listed in the report, no fewer than 209 parking spaces and storage for 280 bicycles must be provided, a green travel plan must be published and demolition and construction plan must be submitted to the Environment Department.
