Under the plans, the homes would be built on the sites currently occupied by the former Ann Street Brewery and the Mayfair Hotel.
The brewery’s iconic eight-storey ‘brewhouse’ would be retained, the industrial areas surrounding it regenerated and a ‘mini-woodland’ would be created.
However, the potential loss of a small number of listed buildings as well as the increase in population density within the area have been put forward by the Jersey Architecture Commission as arguments to block the plans.
Andium Homes are already building 169 apartments on the nearby Ann Court site and Le Masurier are building around 145 flats on Bath Street. Meanwhile, Dandara are building 48 apartments in Peter Street on the former Kleinwort Benson offices.
There is also permission in place to build 195 apartments on the former Jersey Gas headquarters at Tunnel Street. A similar application to build 122 apartments there instead – which featured a deeper underground car park – was refused by the Planning Committee due to the potential loss of ‘unexplored archaeology’ beneath the site.
The plans for the Mayfair and Ann Street Brewery sites also made reference to developing a ‘JSPCA site’ and a ‘Les Bas’ site. The animal charity were asked about the references but declined to comment.
Environment Minister John Young has now signed a ministerial decision authorising the public inquiries, which are overseen by an independent planning inspector. No date for the hearings has been set.
Within it, it said: ‘These developments, were they to be carried out, would be likely to have a significant effect on the interests of a substantial part of the population of Jersey.’
After the inquiry is held, the inspector will make a recommendation on whether the developments should go ahead.
It would then up to Deputy Young whether he chooses to accept or reject this recommendation.
