The Planning Committee is due to meet on Thursday to decide the application from Jersey Property Holdings which has been recommended to be passed by planning officer Ginny Duffell.
In her report on the application, Ms Duffell says the buildings have fallen into a critical state, exacerbated by years of vandalism. In addition, there are health issues from asbestos in the old pool building which had to be sealed when it was exposed by storm damage earlier this year, the report says.
‘The buildings are in a very poor condition and pose a serious health and safety risk,’ the report adds.
‘Temporary measures have been employed to address these risks. However, a permanent solution, in the form of their removal, is required to eliminate the problem.
‘Accordingly, given the critical risk level associated with these buildings, the application is recommended for approval.’
In addition to demolishing the two buildings, Property Services – which is part of the Infrastructure Department – wants to fill in and level the pool basin, and remove the bridge between the pool and the fort complex.
The application is the first item on Thursday’s agenda and the meeting is due to start at St Paul’s Centre at 9.30 am. If approved, the demolition works will take place over the winter of 2018 and 2019.
The committee is also being asked to consider revised plans for 20 first-time buyer homes for parish families in St Martin. In April a previous application was rejected as the committee felt the development would have an ‘unreasonable impact’ on the privacy of neighbouring properties.
The Planning officer is recommending approval as the department is happy that changes to the design have resolved this issue.
Seven parishioners have commented on the application with six in favour. One supporter of the scheme said that if it went ahead it would encourage young couples and families to stay in the parish.
The only other item on the agenda, which is due to be heard at 11.15 am, is an application for outline permission to pull down Coast Stores and four neighbouring residential blocks in Grève d’Azette, and to replace the buildings with one, two-bedroom and three, four-bedroom townhouses, six apartments and a three-bedroom house.
