Property registry figures obtained by the JEP show that of the 365 apartments across the Castle Quay complex and Harbour Reach, 116 are owner-occupied, with the remainder being investment properties.
St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson, who chairs the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, noted that, particularly with large-scale developments, it was not always easy to regulate the number of people buying properties to let.
‘It’s difficult to control, although obviously you want to provide as much housing as possible,’ he said. ‘With a prime piece of land it can often be about what delivers the best returns on a development.’
Last week, the Jersey Development Company unveiled initial plans – which include the construction of 1,000 properties – for a major overhaul of the Waterfront. The project also includes a seaside amphitheatre, boardwalk, an outdoor saltwater swimming pool, a national art gallery and a bridge over Route de la Libération.
The Constable added that there was ‘no reason’ that a company such as Andium Homes shouldn’t be involved in building social housing as part of the new Waterfront vision.
Additionally, Mr Jackson said he would like to see local companies involved in the development but was concerned that, with such a large project, much of the work could be outsourced to foreign contractors.
‘We don’t want to overheat the economy with lots of development and bring in lots of outside labour. We have to take care how much we develop,’ said Mr Jackson.
When asked if he would like to have substantial involvement in the JDC’s consultation process for the new Waterfront plans, Mr Jackson said: ‘It is our role to be involved. We have to take care with such a large project. The Government should be more proactive in drawing people in and involving Islanders in the conversation.’
Meanwhile, David Warr, who owns Cooper and Co which has a site at the Castle Quay complex, said he was ‘quite positive’ about proposals unveiled by the Jersey Development Company to develop the area north of the Radisson Blu Hotel but that businesses in the area needed an input into the plans.
Mr Warr, a former Chamber of Commerce president, said that new developments on the Waterfront would benefit from the ‘insight’ of those who knew the area well.
‘I think it’s important that we think not just about the impact on the Waterfront itself but also the whole of St Helier. This is a huge opportunity to help develop a sustainable future and we should learn our lesson from previous developments on how the rest of town might be impacted.
‘Obviously we would like to have an impact as we are likely to be aware of what the issues might be. We would be able to provide an insight into that area.’
Meanwhile former Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache said he was pleased to see provision for a national gallery in the plans.
Sir Philip, a former External Relations Minister, has been a long-time champion of installing a gallery in Jersey.
‘I’m very pleased that a national art gallery has been proposed,’ Sir Philip said. ‘It’s something I’m very enthusiastic about. I do think there should be a great deal of public consultation involved, not just with the parish but with a whole range of creative people.’
Sir Philip said a national art gallery could see many creative and artistic Islanders drawn to the Waterfront but that it was important that those same people were involved in the consultation.
‘I think that it should meet the aspirations of both the parish and those who are simply interested in such a development,’ he said.
Owner-occupied – investor-owned properties ratios
Harbour Reach: 39 flats of which 12 are owner-occupied and 27 are investments.
Le Capelain House:133 flats of which 45 are owner-occupied and 88 are investments.
Millais House: 193 flats of which 59 are owner-occupied and 134 are investments.
