In the States this week, Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis was asked what progress had been made on repurposing the former headquarters.
And the minister revealed that, alongside plans to potentially expand the school’s grounds, discussions were also taking place about building a combined fire and ambulance station on the site.
Mr Crowcroft has said he was dismayed by Deputy Lewis’ response and said plans to improve the current area had regressed.
‘The response I got from the Infrastructure Minister was very disappointing and suggests that no work has been done on the feasibility of using the former police station site for the benefit and use of the community. It actually seems as if we
have gone backwards,’ he said.
‘The Fire and Rescue Service have extended into that area and I can completely understand them doing that but that decision should been made with the consideration of expanding the school’s grounds or adding an improved community space.’
Mr Crowcroft added that this could be the last chance to expand the school as it was ‘pretty much landlocked’ and it was unlikely any other land would become available soon.
‘The school expansion is the most important part of this but there is also scope for building a public amenity space. There is almost nothing around that area.
‘There is also a great shortage of parking for people who live in Rouge Bouillon and for people who walk into town,’ he said. ‘The last government should have taken these plans forward and both myself and former Deputy Andrew Lewis were given assurances that Jersey Property Holdings would look at this but it does not look like they have.
‘If necessary, I will lodge a States proposition about the use of the site to get things moving forward.’
In April 1991, just days before the start of the new school term, a fire broke out in the roof space of one of the school’s buildings.
The incident caused extensive damage and it took around five years for the building to be repaired and upgraded – the last time it is thought the school was upgraded.
Mr Crowcroft added that town schools were often disadvantaged in comparison to their more rural counterparts.
‘The school is at the side of the road and the playground is right next to a roundabout and not the best place to play. You would hope that the children would be able to play away from the congested ring road,’ he said.
‘Town schools always have this problem. If you compare them to Grouville or Les Landes, for example, which are effectively in the countryside, it is unfair that we do not prioritise them.’
