- Campaigners planning second Esplanade protest
- States Members this week voted against halting work on the Finance Centre
- Around 2,000 people took part in previous ‘ring of defiance’
- Will you be attending this new protest? Take part in our poll below
CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the Jersey International Finance Centre say they are due to plan another ‘ring of defiance’ around the Esplanade car park following the States decision to reject a move to delay the scheme.
One of the principal architects of the anti-finance centre movement, former Deputy Sean Power, said that in voting against Deputy Montfort Tadier’s call to halt the project’s progress, the States may have caused more Islanders to want to take action.
Nothing has been arranged yet, but Mr Power said he would be discussing another demonstration with other campaign leaders next week.
When those behind the building project – the States-owned Jersey Development Company – announced they had secured their first tenant, Mr Power said it ‘galvanised’ members of the public and led them to take action.
6 – The number of office blocks proposed for the site
200,000 – The amount of office space in square feet former Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf said would have to be pre-let before work could begin. Senator Maclean said this was a mistake
13 – The number of prospective tenants supposedly in talks to move into the development
16,000 – The square footage to be taken by Swiss bank UBS, with the option of a further 7,000 sq ft
1,200 – The number of people who have signed a petition to halt the development
£50 million – The amount the JDC estimate the development could return to the Treasury Department
‘As a group we are planning another ring,’ he said. ‘It will possibly be in two to three weeks, but we haven’t discussed it.’
When asked whether he thought there would be much public appetite for a second demonstration at the Esplanade car park, he added:
‘All I can gauge it on is that the signing of the pre-let galvanised reaction from the public.
‘I think the vote in the States will galvanise the public even more if they are given an opportunity and we show some leadership.’
Meanwhile developers have confirmed they are planning measures to ensure that rabbits, which live in and around theWaterfront area, are removed from the building site before work begins.
Members of the public yesterday contacted the JEP and the JDC after seeing groups of bunnies at the popular car park.
‘I will then do daily checks to make sure that no rabbits, or any other wildlife, is on site before we start.
‘We want to make sure that all wildlife is removed before we start work. We’re not going to rush into this, but are going to make sure that it is right.’
Part A (vote to delay the scheme)
FOR: Senator Zoe Cameron; Constables Mezbourian, Le Sueur-Rennard and Taylor; Deputies Martin, Southern, Labey, Hilton, Le Fondré, Lewis, Tadier, Maçon, Mézec, Doublet, Russell Labey, Brée and McDonald (17)
AGAINST: Senators Maclean, Gorst, Farnham, Bailhache and Green; Constables Crowcroft, Norman, Refault, Gallichan, Paddock, Pallett, Le Troquer, Le Maistre and Le Sueur; Deputies Pryke, Noel, Pinel, Luce, Bryans, Moore, Renouf, Wickenden, Norton, Johnson, Truscott and McLinton. (26)
ABSTAINED: Deputies Vallois and Andrew Lewis (2)
Part B (vote for the Council of Ministers to have to present plans for the long-awaited development before giving the Assembly a final vote)
FOR: Senator Zoe Cameron; Deputies Martin, Southern, Labey, Hilton Le Fondré, Lewis, Tadier, Maçon, Mézec, Doublet, Brée and McDonald (13)
AGAINST: Senators Maclean, Gorst, Farnham, Bailhache and Green; Constables Crowcroft, Norman, Refault, Mezbourian, Gallichan, Paddock, Pallett, Le Troquer, Le Maistre and Le Sueur; Deputies Pryke, Noel, Vallois, Pinel, Luce, Bryans, Moore, Renouf, Russell Labey, Wickenden, Norton, Johnson, Truscott and McLinton. (29)
ABSTAINED: Constable Christopher Taylor and Deputy Andrew Lewis (2)
