Last week, plans for a 165-unit affordable housing development at Ann Court in St Helier were shelved until the new year amid speculation that the Chief Minster wishes to use the site for the new States headquarters instead.
Treasury Minister Susie Pinel refused to sign a ministerial decision authorising a loan to Andium Homes, the States-owned social housing developer behind the scheme. This prevented the work, which was due to start within the next few weeks, from commencing.
In response, an Andium spokeswoman said that they still wished to deliver the 165-home project and were waiting for a decision from the Treasury on the matter. She declined to comment any further owing to political sensitivities.
Now, Housing Minister Sam Mézec has called for the stand-off to be resolved without further delay, as there are hundreds of Islanders on the waiting list to purchase affordable homes.
‘I wish to see the Ann Court issue resolved as soon as possible. The Common Strategic Policy has committed the Council of Ministers to improving the standard of living by improving the quality and affordability of housing,’ he said.
‘Currently, there are more than 800 households on the Housing Gateway waiting list. We therefore need a consistent supply of affordable homes to meet the Island’s housing needs.
‘I am committed to delivering a long-term and sustainable solution to deliver these homes as well as the regeneration of St Helier.’
Commenting on the matters raised, a government spokeswoman said: ‘As part of its commitment in the Common Strategic Policy to secure a consistent supply of new homes, the Council of Ministers is working closely with Andium Homes to identify potential sites to deliver new affordable homes in order to meet the Island’s housing needs.’
