In 2014, following a proposition from Deputy John Young, the States voted to cancel the planned sale of Piquet House and instead investigate the possibility of opening it for community or public use.
But although the property in the Royal Square has been used temporarily by organisations over the intervening years, no long-term use has been found, largely due to concerns over the cost of refurbishing the building.
The news that the property is to remain empty comes just days after a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General found that the body set up to manage Jersey’s public property portfolio – Jersey Property Holdings – was not achieving many of its objectives, with operational land and buildings not being managed efficiently and effectively.
In an answer to a written States question from Reform Jersey member Deputy Carina Alves, Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis said that any application to convert Piquet House for public use was ‘unlikely to receive funding until the next Medium Term Plan corrcycle 2020-2023’.
‘The main stumbling block is the cost of refurbishing the building. This is estimated as ranging from £750,000 to £1,000,000 depending on the specification.
‘This is beyond those community groups identified as potential leaseholders under the proposition and has made it impossible for a community user and Jersey Property Holdings to reach an accommodation,’ wrote Deputy Lewis.
He said that the only option for Jersey Property Holdings, which falls under the Infrastructure Department, would be to submit a capital bid, but the level of rental income from a community user would provide a poor financial return.
The Deputy said that the first formal application for a public use of the building, which was used by the Home Affairs Department until 2013, was submitted last year, but the estimated costs of coverting the site could run close to £1 million.
‘Jersey Property Holdings has progressed that application, with floor plans for the conversion of the building having been drawn up, and an initial feasibility study completed,’ he wrote.
‘The cost of refurbishing and converting the building for public use has been estimated at £891,400, with the possibility of a further £89,140 for “consequential improvements” arising from the Building Control application and approval process.
‘It is likely that the next stage of this project is to submit a bid to the Treasury for capital funding, in conjunction with submitting a planning application. Given the current allocation of funding for capital projects, the application, if successful, is unlikely to receive funding until the next Medium Term Plan cycle 2020 – 2023,’ he added.
Last year the JEP reported that the Royal British Legion wanted to move in to Piquet House, which was built in 1803, and had secured private investment to refurbish the building in exchange for a rent-free period of 17 years.
It was reported that talks between Property Holdings, the Infrastructure Department and the legion had been ongoing for two years.
Deputy Young left the States in 2014 having stood unsuccessfully for a Senatorial seat. He was returned unopposed in his old district in St Brelade at last month’s election and is now the Island’s Environment Minister.
