MILLBROOK Playing Fields have been sold for £700,000 to an anonymous individual.
The parcel of land, which was once home to the Island’s Nightingale Wing, changed hands in Jersey’s Royal Court last month.
Instead of being bought by a named individual, the land was sold to a company – Havilland Holdings (Jersey) Ltd.
But Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis says the individual behind the company has bought the playing fields as a gift for the public and the site will remain ‘as it is’.
In a report he has presented to the States it says: ‘Under standing order 168(3), the minister hereby notifies the States that he has accepted the recommendation of Jersey Property Holdings to agree to the following – for the public of Jersey to accept a gift of Millbrook Playing Fields (the western (greater) part thereof), La Route de St Aubin, St Lawrence from the present owner of the land.
‘The minister hereby authorises, as applicable, the Attorney General and the Greffier of the States to pass any contract which is required to be passed on behalf of the public; and the director of Property Holdings to conclude any contract which is required to be concluded on behalf of the public.’
It adds that 15 days from the report being presented – 1 January – the land transaction may be concluded.
Speaking to the JEP, Deputy Lewis said: ‘It will just be kept in perpetuity as a gift for the people of Jersey. Obviously we are very grateful to the benefactor.
‘Nothing will be built on it and, obviously, it will be maintained by our park teams.’
During the hospital site selection process, St Lawrence Constable Deirdre Mezbourian issued a call for the playing fields to be removed from a shortlist of potential sites.
She maintained her defensive stance on the site yesterday and said: ‘It is marvellous to think that we still have philanthropists in this day and age who are willing to buy parcels of land to donate to the public for public benefit.
‘But clearly it is a protected green space under the Island Plan and I will have to trust the Government of Jersey that they respect that and do not try to build on a gift of land.’
