From Trevor Brown.
I AM sure that those who are responsible for managing the activities of the Jersey Development Company are doing exactly what they have been asked to do, that is to extract the greatest possible value from the property portfolio given to their care. Financial value, that is.
However, while financial value is a very important consideration, particularly at a time of economic stress, it is also a short term consideration and not the only factor which should be brought to bear upon decisions concerning our national assets.
Much more important, particularly when related to high profile or important buildings or property, are our Island heritage and culture. Where an area or building has strong historic, community or cultural importance, as does La Folie and the whole of the old harbours area, then we must remember that financial value is not all that Jersey is about.
We are really about our heritage, our culture and, above all, our people, those who were born here and those who chose to make their homes here. Places like La Folie are about our heritage, our culture and our people.
These are the very things that we should be valuing far above money and which we must strive to protect. These are the very things that have shaped our Island and these are the very things that we and our children will most regret losing. Clearly, we must be seeking to extract maximum value from our property assets – maximum real value that is, not simply financial.
So, I fully support Constable Crowcroft’s call for a wider debate. Clearly, the whole La Folie area is in need of re-energising, and should be put to some real use, but please, not another luxury apartment block. Not there.
