Controversial ‘Costa del Sol’ plans are refused once again

In the last six years Sea View Investments Ltd have applied on three different occasions to build homes on land surrounding Keppel Tower .

Grandmother and nearby resident Mary Herold has twice managed to get planning approval for new apartment blocks around Keppel Tower overturned by the Royal Court and yesterday the majority of members of the Planning Committee voted against the latest proposals – despite a recommendation from the Planning Department to approve the scheme.

In the latest plans, designed by Morris Architects, the scheme proposed building three three-bedroom homes and 11 two-bedroom homes, with underground parking on the site.

Nearby resident Mark Layzell told the meeting: ‘I have been involved with this development for more than five years and there are a lot of positives about this scheme but it needs to be developed thoughtfully.

‘My key concern is the history of this site. In 2012, the minister of the time said there should be no development north of the tower. In the latest design the apartments are overcrowding the tower.’

Grouville Deputy Carolyn Labey, who spoke out against the plans, added: ‘This site forms our seascape, and it’s not the Costa del Sol and it’s not Victoria Avenue – it is a site in Grouville.

‘We would like to see the site cleaned up and we would like to see the tower enhanced in some way and see homes for families. We want a development we can be proud of.’

The site is owned by Bob Beslievre, who has been developing properties in Jersey with his wife for more than 30 years.

In a statement following the meeting Morris Architects said: ‘We are extremely disappointed at the outcome of today’s meeting. Our client is a local husband and wife team who are passionate about providing high-quality homes in Jersey and have been independently doing so since the 1980s.

‘They will need to consider their options on the basis of today’s decision.’

Planning Committee chairwoman Constable Juliette Gallichan and panel member Deputy Graham Truscott approved the plans. Deputy Jeremy Maçon, Deputy Russell Labey and Deputy Richard Rondel voted against the plans.

Deputy Maçon said: ‘It’s a well-designed scheme and it’s got a lot going for it. I think Block B is too big and for that reason I am refusing the application.’

Deputy Rondel added: ‘I like the underground parking and I like that there will be an extended pavement in the area. Where I am struggling is on Block B. I’m 98 per cent comfortable with the scheme but it’s the two per cent that’s really drawing on me and for that reason I have to refuse the scheme.’

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