Paul Fox (50), who lives on Tunnell Street, opposite the Gas Place site where 285 flats will be built, says that is ‘very angry and frustrated’ that the Environment Minister Steve Luce approved the plans.
It’s right on top of us,’ said Mr Fox, a self-employed mechanic.
‘It’s going to be like living in the black hole of Calcutta. I won’t be able to give my house away. It will probably knock about £100,000 off the value of my property and I don’t want to live next door to a ghetto.’
Mr Fox is a member of the North of St Helier Association, a group which have been trying to stop the development going ahead.
But despite their protestations, and Mr Fox and others vocally challenging the project at several meetings, Planning officers and their Minister all backed the plans. The group are appealing against the decision.
‘There has always seemed to be a real rush to get this development through,’ Mr Fox said.
‘The Environment Minister even came into my house and when we showed him the view from my bedroom window, he said that he thought the buildings would be too close. Then he made them move the plans back by three feet, but there is still less than 10 metres between our windows and the windows of the facing building – which is below the minimum set out in Planning by-laws.’
Mr Fox is also frustrated that politicians will show support for saving Plemont and find millions of pounds to do so, but have effectively turned down an opportunity to increase a green space in St Helier.
‘I don’t disagree with saving Plemont but this affects many more people. I think there are about 14,000 people living in close proximity to this park. A bigger park would be of much more benefit to more people than a block of flats.
‘We would prefer to see the park extended instead, like it was in the original plans – which was for it to stretch from Bath Street to St Saviour’s Road.’
‘When Jersey Gas announced they would move and the land became available it was suggested that the park would fill all of it. Politcians’ buzzword these days is “green areas” but where are they going to put them if not here?’
