A list of the properties sold by the States of Jersey since 2011 (FOI)

​Request

1) Could I please have a list of the properties sold by the SOJ since 2011 to date, the nature of the property/ ie land/dwelling etc. and also the approx. size ie two bed/three bed or approx. measurement of land and the prices achieved for these sales?

2) Are these properties advertised for sale publically?

3) If 'yes' above, where are they advertised?

4) If answer to question two is 'no', how is the decision made who to sell to and how are those people informed that said property may be available for purchase?

5) Who decides which properties remain in the public domain and which should be sold? How does this process work?

Response

Each question will be answered separately.

1.

See table below.

Download disposals since 1 January 2011 (size 35kb)

2.

Not all properties are publically advertised. See table below.

3. 

See table below.

4.

The most appropriate process for disposal is determined by the professionally qualified officers of Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) and will consider a number of factors, including:

• sales to a single interested party, such as the sale of freehold interests to incumbent leaseholders in accordance with approved policy
• disposals to States interests such as Andium Homes and States of Jersey Development Company in accordance with approved policy
• other ‘special purchaser’ requirements, such as sale to adjacent land owner, where public marketing is inappropriate

All disposals are recommended to the relevant minister or assistant minister by JPH as the body established by the States to manage land and buildings owned by the public of Jersey.

Once a disposal is approved by the relevant minister or assistant minister it is notified to the States Assembly by report in accordance with States Standing Order 168 (3)

5.

Properties are held by the public for a variety of reasons, primarily to deliver services or for general community benefit, but also to achieve rental income from third parties.

The public also owns land that may be used to deliver services, such as parks, be associated with service infrastructure, such as verges adjacent to roads, and other land such as agricultural land holdings that are let to third parties.

When a property is identified by the relevant operating department as not required for its operational use it is referred the Jersey Property Holdings (JPH) for consideration as to its future use.

In the first instance JPH will establish whether there is an alternative operational use for the property and, if so, whether this meets certain criteria including financial viability. If the property is deemed not to be required by the public for operational use, it may be disposed of by way of sale or lease. Each such property decision is considered on a case by case basis.

All freehold and leasehold disposals require the prior approval of the Minister for Infrastructure (up to 31 December 2015 the Minister for Treasury and Resources) and are subject to a 15 working day period under States Standing Order 168 before the decision can be enacted, thus enabling any comments or clarification to be address to the Minister.

On expiry of the 15 working day period, the disposal will be transacted by relevant contact documentation. Where appropriate this will require the public entering into a process through the Royal Court.