Haut de la Garenne: Part of site to be turned into housing?

Haut de la Garenne: Part of site to be turned into housing?

When the inquiry report was released in 2017 one of the panel’s suggestions was that the home, where abuse took place, should be knocked down.

However, more than 90% of Islanders who took part in a consultation said they were against demolishing the building, which is now used as an activity centre.

Within the new report, Children’s Minister Sam Mézec confirmed that a preferred option for the future of the site would be announced later this month, and said that key elements could include plans for a small housing development on the Aviemore section of the site.

A legacy fund to benefit care-leavers will be established from revenue generated by the development of the Aviemore site.

The plans also include investing in the Haut de la Garenne site to support the provision of a high-quality services for children, young people and families.

The minister’s report also confirmed that all claims for compensation made under the first redress scheme – set up to help those who suffered abuse while in care between 1945 and 1994 – had been settled.

A total of 132 claims have been settled, with four rejected and three withdrawn.

Figures made public in 2015 showed that £2.3 million was paid to victims through the Historic Abuse Redress Scheme, while lawyers received a total of £3.2 million. That amount included £2.2 million paid to lawyers representing the States between 2011 and 2015 and £1 million paid to the – mostly UK-based – lawyers representing the victims.

A second redress scheme was launched in July last year.

Senator Mézec added: ‘The government has allocated £6.5 million to the [second redress] scheme, which will be open to those who suffered abuse or harm while in States of Jersey foster care and residential care after 1994 or while at
Les Chênes secure residential unit.’

Applications under the second redress scheme can be made until 30 June.

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