The outline scheme, submitted by surveyor Joe Carney, is for the first pair of tier-four data storage buildings – the most secure type – in the Channel Islands.
In the past few years Mr Carney has attempted to gain permission to redevelop part of the Fencing Centre in Rue de la Scelletterie, in St Lawrence.
However, despite the scheme being approved by the Planning Applications Panel, it was reviewed by Environment Minister Steve Luce in February because it did not have the support of the Planning Department, and the plans were rejected.
Now Mr Carney has submitted a smaller scheme which he hopes will be accepted.
Although data centres exist in Jersey, there are no top-level units offering the highest form of security for companies and individuals – sometimes Hollywood A-listers – who want to keep information and images safe. Mr Carney said that the buildings would provide an opportunity for 30 or 40 employees as well as investment from high-net-worth individuals or organisations. He added: ‘The proposed pair of data centres have been reduced in size, and half the site would be returned to agriculture under the plans. Those were the previous stumbling blocks.
‘We had a few face-to-face meetings with the Planning Department and hopefully, now that the application has been polished, it will be palatable for them and we can obtain our ticket to market.’
The surveyor said that companies he had been dealing with would not invest or enter further talks without some form of government approval for the scheme.
If the plans are approved, Mr Carney would need to present further detailed plans about the scheme. He added that there were only about 70 tier-four data centres in the world.
‘The other thing is that none of this would involve taxpayers’ money,’ Mr Carney said. ‘This is inward investment. It’s all in line with the States’ strategic plan to diversify the economy. We are reacting to political stimuli.
‘The business on the site at the moment has 30 or 40 people working there and we would be looking for a similar number. And by returning a large part of the site to agriculture, the idea here is for a reduction of intensification of use.’
The scheme is now being considered by the Planning Department.
