A NEW town youth centre could open at the derelict Ann Street Brewery site in 2028.
The proposed Government Budget 2025, published in August, described plans for a “bold new youth facility project” in town.
The “preferred site” for this facility “would support the wider redevelopment under way at Ann Street and give a new lease of life to the derelict Ann Street Brewery”, according to the draft Budget, which will be debated later this year in the States Assembly.
The proposed timescale was revealed by Children’s Minister Richard Vibert in answer to a written question tabled by Deputy David Warr.
Mr Vibert said: “We will soon be entering negotiations with commercial organisations, and for this very reason I am not at this stage able to disclose the value of the project until contracts are agreed and signed. With reference to the anticipated delivery of the facility, we would hope this would open early 2028.”
Assistant Minister Malcolm Ferey has been leading the project with support from officers from a number of government departments.
Mr Vibert explained that “officers have produced a clear and detailed business case, delivered a presentation to the Council of Ministers on proposals and met with the Constable of St Helier and parish officials to keep the parish up to date with proposals”.
The minister said: “The business case clearly highlights the need for such a youth facility, with the increase of housing within the town area and that the town has experienced a decline in youth centres with the closure of Aquila and Seaton Youth Centres many years ago.
“The children and young people of St Helier must have the same access to youth work opportunities as those in other parishes.”
The brewery at Ann Street moved to Longueville in 2004, leaving the seven-vergée plot mostly empty and boarded up. Social housing provider Andium Homes purchased the site for an undisclosed amount in 2017.
In 2022, Dandara submitted a planning application to develop the site on behalf of Andium.
Proposals to create around 250 homes and restore five of the seven listed buildings on the site – including creating a new headquarters for Autism Jersey – were approved by the Planning Committee in February 2023.
According to the plans for the site, the brewhouse and brewery office were due to be refurbished and extended into a microbrewery and community offices.
But Deputy Ferey confirmed that the microbrewery plans will no longer form part of the development.
In response to queries from the JEP’s sister publication Bailiwick Express, Andium Homes said that there were no changes to the plans to create 249 new social rented and affordable purchase homes at Ann Street.
The 162 one-bedroom, 83 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments are under construction and due for completion in 2027, according to Andium.
The development will also include a large public green open space, designated cycle and footpaths, and an electric car club.
Andium added that, as part of the development agreement, Dandara retained several buildings on the site – one of which was the main brewery building where the microbrewery was intended to be located.
Any change in design of this building is therefore Dandara’s decision, said Andium.
