THE government is working to create a register of historic buildings that are at risk “due to neglect or decay” amid concerns that some are becoming dilapidated.
Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune admitted in the States yesterday that a grant scheme fund for the repair and conservation of buildings of special interest had not been replenished since 2010.
She also said that the government could only intervene to force owners to take action on rare occasions.
During question time, Deputy Montfort Tadier called on the government to ask the owners of the Freedom Church to improve the outside of the 70-year-old former Odeon cinema after the interior was recently refurbished, and argued that more could be done to encourage owners of listed and public buildings to restore them.
He said: “The former Odeon cinema is severely dilapidated on the outside and is in a prominent position in town next to a new hotel and the town park.”
Deputy Jeune responded that the owners of deteriorating listed buildings could only be forced to maintain them “in the most extreme circumstances”.
“While there are powers in the Planning and Building Law to compel the repair of dilapidated and ruinous buildings, the threshold for such action is very high and the powers are draconian,” she added.
Deputy Jeune explained: “The point is that the bar for intervention is extremely high and there are limited resources.”
She added that greater protections for listed buildings with a more flexible approach could be implemented after work is completed on identifying and compiling Jersey’s most at-risk sites.
She said: “We are working to create a ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ as a way to focus attention on listed historic properties that may be most at risk due to neglect or decay.”
This will inform the appropriate approach to protecting buildings, she explained, which could lead to more nuanced laws or the reintroduction of a grant fund.
Meanwhile, the pastor at Freedom Church has said they share Deputy Tadier’s “desire to improve the condition of Jersey’s wonderful heritage buildings”.
Tim Bond said: “Freedom Church has been working on the renovation of the building since it purchased the former Odeon Cinema.”
He added that they were “thankful to the many ordinary Jersey residents who have carried the financial burden of the Freedom Centre refurbishment on their own shoulders, without any public financial contribution”.
Mr Bond said: “Having removed all building risks and replaced the entire roof, amongst significant other upgrades including a 450-seat performance space, the building is closer than ever to becoming a centre of culture and arts for the local community – as was always envisioned.
“The building stakeholders were delighted to welcome the Festival of Words into the space in October and are currently privileged to be hosting the immersive theatre experience of A Christmas Carol over December; events to which all of the Island’s population are welcome.
“The Freedom Centre is very much a work in progress and the redevelopment team is excited to continue improving the space and building over the coming months and years.”
