A DIRECT pedestrian link from Liberation Station to King Street could be set up as part of a proposed major development between Broad Street and Commercial Street.
The £120 million Les Sablons scheme, which could include 238 homes, a 103-bedroom ‘apart-hotel’ and a large courtyard with shops and restaurants, was discussed at the monthly meeting of the St Helier Roads Committee yesterday. [wed]
Members of the committee approved plans for a new zebra crossing on Commercial Street, and also heard from development company Le Masurier about the possibility of an adjacent scheme that would provide a direct link to the Esplanade and bus station.
Le Masurier managing director Brian McCarthy said that the company also hoped to develop the land at 19-21 Esplanade. This site was next to the existing zebra crossing at the west end of Liberation Station, he said, and would allow pedestrians direct access to Commercial Street, linking with the proposed new crossing at the entrance to Les Sablons.
If both schemes were approved – with plans for the latter development expected to be submitted in the coming weeks – Mr McCarthy said pedestrians would be able to go directly from the bus station to the heart of St Helier without the need to travel via Castle Street or Conway Street.
Mr McCarthy and Greg Callaghan, from design partner Stantec, answered some of the concerns expressed by committee members.
Mr Callaghan said that improved facilities for cycling would form part of the scheme, including charging points in all storage areas, facilities for bicycle maintenance and washing, and direct access from Broad Street. It was also confirmed that parking spaces would be for residents only and could not be sub-let, and that headroom clearance of four metres in communal areas would allow access for refuse vehicles.
The planning application for Les Sablons was submitted in April and is likely to be considered by the Planning Committee this autumn.
Committee member Ted Vibert criticised the lack of provision for play areas for children as part of the site; Mr McCarthy said that Le Masurier intended to look at enhancing other play areas nearby, such as the facility in Parade Gardens.
John Baker asked about charging facilities for car owners in the light of the increase in the number of electric vehicles. Mr Callaghan said that while 25% of the 96 parking spaces would have electric chargers, the infrastructure for the scheme would enable this figure to be expanded to 100%.
Mr Vibert questioned whether the scheme’s allowance for parking of 0.4 spaces per residential unit was enough. Mr McCarthy admitted there was ‘tension’ between the number of spaces occupiers might wish and the government’s sustainable transport policy, which required parking provision to be cut as one of the means of encouraging Islanders to reduce their dependence on cars. The meeting was also told that Le Masurier would be making a £500,000 contribution to road improvements as part of Les Sablons.
