The States last week agreed to release a £37.8 million loan agreement to Andium Homes to press ahead with a 165-unit development at the Ann Court site.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré had paused the housing project for several months to explore other potential uses for the site – believing it was the ideal area for an all-in-one States HQ.
However, after States Members backed Deputy Steve Luce’s proposal to release the funding, Senator Le Fondré has begun investigating other sites for a permanent States office block.
In July last year, the Chief Executive’s Office announced that it would begin moving staff from Cyril Le Marquand House and other key offices to the former RBC building in Broad Street. Other States services have been moved to La Motte Street.
Senator Le Fondré said: ‘Discussions are taking place and officers will be asked to report back with alternative sites, ready for a meeting within the next few weeks. Staff from across the organisation are currently in the process of moving to Broad Street, which will become the temporary headquarters for more than 500 employees.’ During the States debate, the Chief Minister argued that using Ann Court for housing and the States’ headquarters would enable other publicly owned sites in the future, such as La Motte Street and the Le Bas Centre, to be used for housing.
He added that basing all civil servants in one office at Ann Court would save the States around £10 million a year in efficiencies, and rejuvenate and create footfall in that area of town.
Several ministers voted in favour of the Deputy Luce’s proposition and against Senator Le Fondré.
A recent report into the Island’s future housing needs found that Jersey will need almost 7,000 new homes within the next ten years as a result of current migration levels.
