WORK to construct a new youth centre in St Helier could begin within six months, subject to planning consent, the Children’s Minister has stated.
During question time in the States Assembly, Constable Richard Vibert provided an update about work to develop a new facility on the former Ann Street Brewery site, including a sports hall, boxing gym, fitness rooms, sensory room, food preparation areas, multi-use rooms, and counselling rooms.
Responding to a question from Deputy Steve Ahier, Constable Richard Vibert said that it was anticipated that a planning application, submitted in mid-April, would be determined by the end of July.
Mr Vibert said that if planning permission was given, this would enable a further application relating to building control to proceed, with a view to work starting by December of this year.
The target was that the new base for the Youth Enquiry Service would be complete by December 2026, he added, with the youth centre due to be completed by the first or second quarter of 2028.
If planning permission was to be refused next month, Mr Vibert admitted that “further consideration” would be necessary regarding the project.
Asked by Deputy Ahier whether the government had taken ownership of the land, the minister said that this was not yet the case but that he expected this process to follow the decision about planning permission.
Images released as part of the planning application showed features of the project, which could include a rooftop football pitch, dance studio, and the Island’s tallest climbing wall.
The initiative aims to fill what officials described as a “long overdue” gap in facilities for children, young people, and families living in the north of town.
Speaking in April, associate director for young people’s services, Mark Capern, said the new centre would act as a hub for the local community, offering a wide range of activities from sport and dance to arts, crafts, and life skills.
Having earlier fielded questions about the potential harms resulting from the use of smartphones and social media, Mr Vibert told the States Assembly that he considered the proposed youth centre would be a positive move in directing children away from their phones.
