The proposed acquisitions include fields, homes, an office and land that belongs to the Parish of St Helier.
A further 75 properties have also been identified as being in ‘close proximity’ to the proposed site, but the impact of the project upon those buildings has not yet been assessed.
Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, who chairs the Our Hospital Political Oversight Group, provided the latest details about the impact on the area in response to a written States question from Deputy Inna Gardiner, in whose district Overdale sits.
He said that under the current plans the proposed sites to be acquired by the government, by compulsory purchase if the States agree and it is necessary, would be:
- A corporate office and service yard.
- Four fields in separate ownerships.
- Three residences in separate ownerships.
- One residential development that is under construction.
Various pieces of land owned by St Helier would also be required, including the Jersey Bowling Club on Westmount Road, verges on Westmount Road, the People’s Park car park, the Inn on the Park car park and two verges on St John’s Road.
The proposition puts the cost of acquiring the land and properties required – considered the minimum needed to progress the scheme – at £16.6 million.
The response to the written question adds: ‘An assessment has not yet been made in relation to any change in value of adjacent properties.
‘Around 75 residences are in close proximity to the site but the impact of the construction is difficult to define until more details of the process are available. If the Overdale site gains the approval of the States Assembly, the approach adopted will be based on minimising any potential disruption through proper planning, process, management and regular communication with residents.
‘Rok FCC will undertake a programme of community engagement, including neighbourhood meetings around project progress and timelines, details about construction activity, defined hours of work, newsletters, and contact details, including a
hotline telephone number.’
Senator Farnham said that all owners of property and land that could be required had been in contact with an agent for the project team since July. After Overdale was announced as the final choice of ministers and the proposition lodged with the States, Rok FCC – the design and delivery partner for the project – began contacting owners of property next to the site, he added, ‘so that they can hear any specific concerns that residents might have’.
Earlier this month Deputy Mary Le Hegerat, who also represents the district which includes Overdale, recently raised concerns at a Scrutiny hearing that residents who would be affected had not been consulted.
She said she was ‘disappointed’ that many of those residents had only learned they would be impacted after the public announcement that Overdale was the preferred option.
