22 April 2008
A revised masterplan for the Waterfront’s Esplanade Quarter was published on 16 April 2008 with some significant changes resulting from public consultation. The masterplan was prepared by the Minister for Planning and Environment. The Council of Ministers support the masterplan and a Report and Proposition has been lodged in the States on their behalf asking the States to endorse the plan. The biggest differences are in new plans for traffic and for a winter garden one and a half times the size of the Royal Square at the heart of the new development. The plan for the main square has also changed, with a low-level public space incorporating an arched granite colonnade surrounded by a reduced number of cafes, shops and bars and with direct access to adjacent car parks.
The draft masterplan was published in October 2007, inviting comment from members of the public. A summary of the masterplan proposals was delivered to 24,000 islanders with the Jersey Evening Post; it was published on the internet; it was displayed in a waterfront exhibition space, and it was explained by the principal architect, Mr Jim Greaves, a director of Hopkins Architects at a Town Hall public meeting. Hundreds of people visited the exhibition and about 50 written submissions were received.
Senator Freddie Cohen said ‘This is a very exciting day as I am at long last able to present to Islanders what I believe is a quite wonderful masterplan designed by Sir Michael Hopkins and his team. Since launching the consultation we have introduced a huge indoor winter garden, finalised the traffic proposals and appointed Robert Townsend one of Europe’s leading landscape architects. These proposals bring to Jersey architecture and landscape design of the very highest standard and a scheme of which Islanders can be justly proud.’
All the comments have been analysed and fed into the development process, resulting in a new version of the masterplan which will hopefully be debated by the States Assembly in June. Other changes in the new plan are: a revised arrangement and location of public spaces; a new lower level for the main public square, giving direct access to adjacent underground car parks; the buildings on the Esplanade have been set back from the old sea wall to improve their relationship with the existing Esplanade area; the amount of retail space has been halved; an internationally renowned landscape architect has been appointed, and a full traffic management model has been developed.
Due to the size of the Masterplan it has not been possible to put it on our website, however hard copies of the completed Masterplan can be obtained by contacting Reception at Planning and Environment on T: 445508.
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