Let's be clear: I hoped to improve Portelet

From Senator Freddie Cohen, former Minister for Planning and Environment.

OVER the past weeks and months there have been several articles and letters in your publication commenting on the Portelet redevelopment. I would like to set the record straight.

I did not approve the redevelopment of the former holiday camp at Portelet. Planning permission was given for the development before I was elected to the States and before I became Planning and Environment Minister.

My involvement was to try and improve on the consent already in place which was a piece of uninspiring, flat roofed architecture of circa 1970. I could have simply turned a blind eye and blamed a previous Planning sub-committee, but my job as an elected representative and as the then Planning Minister was to deliver the best I could for Jersey.

I did not have the opportunity of withdrawing the original legally binding consent or returning Portelet to nature as would have been my preference.

Another important factor when considering Portelet is that the curved roofed houses breaking the escarpment above the skyline and often shown in pictures of Portelet are a completely different development. These houses are on the site of the old Bergerac Hotel, again this development was approved by a Planning sub-committee long before I became elected.

Sir Richard MacCormac’s contemporary development at Portelet has already won seven design awards but like many contemporary buildings it has generated considerable controversy. Despite the claims that the new development is larger than the old holiday camp it is in fact around 15% smaller.

The position with regard to Plemont is entirely different. There was no prior consent in place and I consistently refused every application for redevelopment during my term as Environment Minster. Furthermore, I have made it clear that the site should be acquired by the public and returned to nature. Indeed I have offered to lead negotiations.

Other buildings I have been accused of approving but were actually given consent before my election to the States include: the Radisson Hotel, the swimming pool and cinema at the waterfront and the large houses at La Coupe and Le Hocq.

Statistically, it’s very easy to become unpopular when you become the Planning Minister. During the five years I spent in the post more than 12,000 applications were determined. Each application has an applicant and usually at least one objector, one of whom will be disappointed once a decision has been made. My apologies to the 12,000 Islanders who happened not to agree with the difficult daily decisions a Planning Minister faces.

The States will elect a new Planning Minister in November, I shall not be putting my name into the hat. However, I wish the new minister the best of luck, South Hill can be a lonely place at the best of times!

Highcliff,