PLANS have been submitted for the demolition of a former storage unit, the development of an open car park and the construction of seven new homes on a site in Devonshire Place.
If approved, this ‘comprehensive redevelopment’ of the south side of Devonshire Place would provide four new one-bedroom units and three new two-bedroom units.
A planning statement accompanying the application describes the current buildings occupying 3–7 Devonshire Place as being ‘in a very poor condition’, particularly the storage unit behind the open car parking area, which is described as ‘severely dilapidated’.
The surrounding area is described as ‘primarily residential, with some commercial uses in the facility, including car sales/parking and offices’.
The planning statement adds that the ‘site has been vacant for many years’.
The proposals for the seven new homes include ‘biodiverse roofs’ with ‘built-in planters to terraces and in-ground planting (including to the street) on a site which is currently devoid of any greenery’.
Comments made as part of the planning application say that ‘the application site is clearly well placed, in the centre of St Helier, to minimise the need to travel by private vehicle and it has been designed as a car-free scheme, with excellent cycle provision’.
The proposed designs are described as ‘resilient’, with the site being located in ‘the lowest of the flood risk zones’.
The planning application concludes that ‘the delivery of seven new homes represents an optimal use of the site supporting the establishment of a new community on derelict land which has been under-used for decades’.
Planning permission is due to be decided at the beginning of May.
