A multi-million pound plan to develop Esplanade Square as a finance centre was approved by the States yesterday.

The plan, devised by Hopkins architects, will involve lowering Route de la Liberation as well as building offices and flats on the existing Esplanade car park.

Members approved the scheme, which is expected to take between seven and ten years to complete, by 40 votes to six.

Environment Minister Freddie Cohen had said he would resign if the plans were not approved.

*Full report in today’s Jersey Evening Post, on sale at noon