A BID to halt the £1.3 million sale of a former care facility to the Jersey Development Company has been launched by a backbench politician – who has raised concerns over whether the move is “the best use of taxpayer-owned land”.
Deputy Alex Curtis has lodged a proposition to revoke the planned sale of Aviemore in St Martin to the States-owned developer, which plans to build new homes on the site.
Deputy Curtis argues that there has been a lack of “clear answers” to politicians’ questions about the deal.
He is also calling for the government to consult States Members and the public “on the future use and ownership of Aviemore”, highlighting the need for details on a number of points – including why the property is being sold for less than half of its original guide price.
Aviemore was previously listed for sale by tender in January 2024, inviting “offers in excess of £3 million”.
However, it is now set to be sold for just over £1.3 million with a clause allowing for additional payments depending on future development profits – though some States Members feel the details of this arrangement are too vague.
Deputy Karen Wilson recently pressed the Infrastructure Minister, Constable Andy Jehan, on the circumstances of the sale, including whether a higher price could have been achieved.
In a written response, Mr Jehan confirmed that six bids were received, with JDC submitting the highest offer. However, no details have been provided about the competing bids or whether private developers were given a fair opportunity to purchase the site.
Mr Jehan said last month that the proceeds of the sale would go towards supporting care-experienced Islanders, and argued that the £1.3m sale was a “strategic step forward”. He added that additional payments would be made if planning permission was granted for the new development.
However, Deputy Curtis is now questioning why the property is being sold at such a reduced rate.
“If we are selling valuable public assets at a fraction of their expected value, we need to ask whether this is really the best use of taxpayer-owned land,” he said.
There are also concerns around what exactly the JDC intends to build on the site and whether it aligns with public interest. The government has previously stated that the land will be used for open-market housing.
In a report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Curtis suggested that there had not been sufficient transparency, pointing out that States Members were not properly briefed before the sale was announced.
“What exactly is being proposed? Does it align with the public interest? We still don’t have clear answers,” he said.
Aviemore sits adjacent to the former Haut de la Garenne care home, which today acts as the Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre, a popular outdoor education and tourism facility.
Noting that neighbours “objected to the noise and disturbance created by outdoor play” at the centre during a Planning Committee meeting three years ago, Deputy Curtis said there was a “real risk that the provision of open market housing would threaten the ongoing viability of JAAC”.
“Are there better uses for this site, such as tourism, economic opportunities, or step-down care facilities?” he asked.
The proposition is due to be debated on 25 February at the earliest.
