Deputy Russell Labey, a member of the Planning Applications Panel and chairman of the Havre des Pas Improvement Group, announced the move, which he said was supported by residents living at the run-down La Collette development and other neighbours in the area.
In April, Andium Homes’ plans to replace 59 homes, contained in five buildings, at the site with 147 new units in five bigger blocks were rejected by the panel.
Residents in the area and Deputy Labey are now hoping to safeguard green space at the site that is designated ‘protected open space’ by the Island Plan, the document which governs building in Jersey.
- Andium Homes is a States-owned company that acts independently to look after the Islands housing portfolio.
- Previously the Housing Department had responsibility for the administration of Jerseys social rented accommodation, affordable housing and accommodation for older Islanders, but Andium was given oversight of these area last year.
- The company manages more than 4,500 properties and provides accommodation for more than 10,000 Islanders.
- They have embarked upon a major drive to bring all States-owned housing up to the nationally recognised decent homes standard and are also creating hundreds of new homes at sites across the Island.
The Deputy has also lodged a proposition asking Environment Minister Steve Luce to uphold the protection granted to the space, which he says plays an important part of the site’s character.
He said that the land, which is home to 30 trees and forms a park between the road and La Collette low-rise flats, was valued by residents and neighbours alike and that it should not be built on.
The petition is now available from the Town Hall, Princes Bar in Havre des Pas or the De L’Etang, a Greek restaurant in the area.
‘What has been overlooked is the impact a five-storey building would have on that protected open space,’ Deputy Labey said.
‘Everybody wants residents at La Collette to have refurbished, redeveloped or better accommodation, and nobody wants to stand in the way of that, but this would be a significant blight on the area.
‘Behind which closed doors was it decided that the greater community good would be served by trashing protected open space and having apartments on it?
‘This area is protected as an amenity green space.
‘It plays an important role in contributing to the character of the area.’
