Jobs will go unless States back construction industry

The Jersey Construction Council, which represents building firms, said that major developments needed to be fast-tracked through the planning process to help kick-start the economy.

It insisted that privately-funded projects worth £250 million could start immediately if they got the go ahead from planners.

Those schemes would include the proposed £150 million J1 development between Broad Street and Commercial Street, which includes offices shops and restaurants.

Council chairman Martin Holmes said that he had not seen the industry so flat since he came to Jersey 11 years ago.