ONE of Jersey’s largest developers has lodged an appeal against a ministerial decision to reject its plans for a major project in St Helier.
Le Masurier managing director Brian McCarthy said that turning to the Royal Court had become “the only option available”, after Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune threw out the company’s £120m plan for more than 200 homes and an apart-hotel in town.
The scheme, Les Sablons, would have seen 2.5 acresof land between Broad Street and Commercial Street redeveloped – but was initially refused by the Planning Committee last December.
Le Masurier then appealed against that decision and the proposals were recommended for approval by an independent planning inspector.
However, Deputy Jeune rejected the appeal, concluding that the height of the scheme along Commercial Street would be significantly in excess of planning guidance, and its scale and mass would be “overbearing and oppressive”.
Mr McCarthy yesterday announced that the company had taken the decision to bring an appeal to the Royal Court following “overwhelming support from industry, professional bodies, local businesses and the public”.
He said: “The government-appointed independent inspector overwhelmingly recommended the scheme for approval at appeal, consistently agreeing with the significant merits of the proposals, but the Assistant [Environment] Minister went against his decision.
“We believe that this scheme is worth fighting for, as it would deliver the opportunity for the substantial regeneration of over 2½ acres of the centre of town at our site on Broad Street and Commercial Street.”
He added that taking an appeal to the court was one it had “initially decided not to pursue”.
Mr McCarthy continued: “However, the level of support and encouragement we have received, and following consultation with our lawyers, we believe we have a strong case which, if successful, would result in this decision being re-considered.
“If approved in line with the independent inspector’s recommendation, Le Masurier’s £120 million investment would contribute to the Island’s chronic housing shortfall, including assisted purchase housing, on a town centre brownfield site, thereby protecting our precious countryside.
“It would deliver 150 full-time jobs, boost tourism with a brand-new apart-hotel through Staycity, with whom we have agreed terms subject to planning consent, and create a publicly accessible courtyard garden linking King Street to the bus station via a safe pedestrian route.
“All of this would be at no cost to the taxpayer.”
