Panel rejects application to develop Charing Cross

The Co-op application to develop its Charing Cross site has been refused by the Planning Applications Panel.

 

The Co-op applied to demolish its Charing Cross site, retain two of the six listed buildings, and construct a four-storey building comprising of retail units, office space on the ground floor, basement parking, with office and residential accommodation above.

 

An earlier proposal to demolish all the listed buildings was withdrawn in June, before it was due to be reviewed by the Planning Applications Panel. The Co-op subsequently submitted a revised proposal retaining two of the six listed buildings, 5 and 6 Pitt Street, commonly known as the Foote buildings.

 

 

Principal Planner, John Nicholson, said “We would like to see this site regenerated, particularly the neglected and dilapidated buildings on Pitt Street and Dumaresq Street.

 

"While the latest scheme retained two of the listed buildings and would have delivered tangible benefits to the town centre, the proposal conflicts with policies which seek to preserve and protect listed buildings. The Panel considered too much of the heritage was being taken in this scheme."

 

 

The Planning Department had recommended refusal of the application to the Planning Applications Panel following full consideration of the latest scheme and comments received from the public and interested groups.

 

The Island Plan, adopted by the States in 2011, seeks to protect the Island’s natural and historic environment, including historic buildings, structures and places, which contribute to and define its unique character and identify.

 

The panel considered that, taken as a whole, the group of listed buildings on this site provides perhaps the best surviving example of early-mid 18th century townscape in St Helier, as well as demonstrating the change of style and scale of urban building which took place in the early 19th century.