Compulsory purchase of land proposed for new secondary school

21 March 2018

The States will be asked to approve the compulsory purchase of land for the new Les Quennevais School after one of the owners sought to renegotiate the previously agreed acquisition terms.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Eddie Noel said “Unfortunately, despite lengthy discussions and having agreed a fair and proper price with the owner, it has not been possible to conclude the transaction. This means the only option available is to acquire the land through compulsory purchase. Using this method is a last resort for us but the new school is vital for the Island.”

Planning approval was granted in October 2017 to build a new secondary school on a group of fields next to Rue Carrée and La Route de Quennevais, St Brelade.

Assistant Education Minister Deputy Anne Pryke said “We have always aimed to open the new school in September 2020 but if we need to use compulsory purchase there will inevitably be a delay, and we could lose a whole academic year, which would be very disappointing for the staff and their students. We do however remain hopeful that the signed agreement with the landowner will be honoured so that we can keep to the original timetable.”

A report and proposition asking the States to approve the compulsory purchase will be lodged au Greffe as soon as possible but it will not be debated until after the election.

Ministerial Decisions with more background detail will be published today.