THE number of affordable homes proposed within the new Waterfront project could be increased, according to the Jersey Development Company’s managing director.
Lee Henry said that discussions would take place with the new government about whether the current figure – 15% – could be raised while still maintaining the viability of the scheme, which includes designs for around 1,000 new homes, an ‘arthouse’ cinema, new indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym and a multi-purpose indoor area for children and various food and retail amenities.
An outline planning application for the ‘vibrant’ and ‘landscape-led’ transformation of the Waterfront area was lodged in January, with a public inquiry into the plans expected to take place later this year.
Following a proposition by Deputy Sam Mézec, the amount of affordable homes to be included in the redevelopment was set at 15%.
Commenting on whether the recent election could affect this, Mr Henry said: ‘Fundamentally, there will inevitably be changes that we will be working with the new government to support.
‘Our new shareholder representative, Deputy Ian Gorst – in his capacity as the Minister for Treasury and Resources – has highlighted the need for more affordable units, recognising the current high cost of housing and the affordability issues that has caused.’
He added: ‘We have got an obligation to support government in delivering its objectives and we will be discussing with the [Treasury] Minister, with the new Chief Minister [Deputy Kristina Moore], with the new Housing Minister [Deputy David Warr] and indeed the Regeneration Steering Group, how we can support an increase in the level of affordable units.’
He said the issue involved a ‘question of balance’ because the scheme ‘has to be viable.’
‘The present minimum which has been set is for 15% of the units to be affordable – affordable in this reference was for shared equity – so they will be owner-occupied properties but on a shared-equity basis,’ he added.
Some changes have already been made ahead of the public inquiry, including a reduction in height of the tallest ‘gateway’ building from 16 storeys to eight.
‘These are considered to be minor adjustments that are improving the scheme. We are taking this period to ensure we are all aligned with what is being proposed,’ Mr Henry said.
