Constable: Millbrook green space ‘must be protected’

Constable: Millbrook green space ‘must be protected’

Deirdre Mezbourian made the comments this week following the publication of a shortlist of potential locations for the new facility. She added that she would be opposing any plans to build on the site – currently home to the Nightingale Hospital – or the adjacent agricultural fields.

The four other locations unveiled by the Our Hospital Political Oversight Group include Overdale, the People’s Park, St Andrew’s Park in First Tower and a site at Five Oaks.

Mrs Mezbourian’s comments follow the launch of a similar campaign by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft opposing the construction of the new facility on any St Helier park.

In a letter sent to all media this week, Mrs Mezbourian, said: ‘The Citizens’ Panel themselves have acknowledged the detrimental impact it would have, not least of which would be upon the historic and built character of the area, and the loss of important views. Why have they also not taken into account the use of the site by thousands of Islanders every year?

‘Significantly, the site has the highest level of protection against development under the Island Plan, and the reason for that is because it is the last open green space from West Park to beyond Beaumont.’

She added: ‘To lose that green lung would impact detrimentally upon every Islander now, and in the future. Millbrook Playing Fields, and the fields beyond, must continue to have the highest level of protection against development so I call upon all Islanders to oppose this site and to save this important open space.’

Hospital design and delivery partner, ROK FCC – a consortium between Jersey-based ROK and Spanish firm FCC – is now due to analyse all sites before presenting its
recommended location to the States for debate in November, when a final decision is due to be made.

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