A THERAPEUTIC horticultural project that promotes sustainability while helping people with their wellbeing has been given the green light for a new community building.
The facility, which has been approved by Planning, forms part of an expansion plan put forward by Grow Jersey.
The project aims to help people learn more about nature by planting and growing at its field near Surville Cemetery.
Grow Jersey said the new building would allow them to provide improved community engagement opportunities and educational programmes year-round.
The community group, which launched in 2021, is a collaboration between mental-health organisation Thrive Jersey, sustainability business The Good Jersey Life and the Parish of St Helier, which owns the site.
Since its launch, the project has focused on horticulture as a means to support mental and physical health while also addressing broader environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and food waste.
The new building is designed with energy efficiency in mind, and has a fully accessible community space for hosting workshops and a kitchen, according to Grow Jersey.
Grow Jersey added that features such as pollinator patches, rainwater harvesting and a wildlife pond would help to enhance biodiversity across the site.
Sheena Brockie, sustainability consultant and co-founder of Grow Jersey, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the planning department understands and supports what we are trying to achieve.
“Obtaining the planning permission means that we can now move forward to the next phase of the project.”
The application received 90 positive submissions, but some raised concerns about traffic and impacts on the cemetery’s peaceful atmosphere.
Responding, Grow Jersey emphasised that the planning application would have minimal visual impact, with buildings designed to blend into the landscape. The structures will be constructed primarily from timber and located within the existing orchard, away from public view.
To address concerns, Grow Jersey agreed to reposition pedestrian access and provide on-site minibus parking to minimise disruption.
