TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
JERSEY PROPERTY HOLDINGS
Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision - Minister for Treasury and Resources
Rozel Mill Tower, La Rue du Moulin, St. Martin – Proposed Sale
PBA 0343
Purpose
To seek the consent of the Minister for Treasury and Resources to sell Rozel Mill Tower to Mrs M Gilpin for £75,000.
Background
Rozel Mill Tower was included in the schedule of proposed property disposals in “P40/2006 - the States Strategic Plan 2006-2011”, which was approved by the States.
The Public acquired Rozel Mill Tower in 1919 from the then owner of ‘Rozel Mill’ (house), apparently as a navigational aid.
Since its acquisition in 1919, the use of the Tower by the Public has been limited, and it has not served any operational purpose to the States for most of that period. Its function as a navigational aid was short lived, and its restricted size and layout effectively limited other possible uses – for example storage. In addition, the location of the Tower within the grounds of ‘Rozel Mill’ creates a privacy issue hindering the use of the structure by the Public. The Public’s limited use of the Tower is reflected in its decision to lease back the structure to successive owners of the house – records show that it has been leased back to the owner of ‘Rozel Mill’ since the 1960s, but leases earlier than that may have taken place.
In 1983 the Public leased the Tower to the current owner of ‘Rozel Mill’ – Mrs Gilpin – for 21 years, with an option to renew for a further 21 years – an option exercised by the lessee, giving a lease end date of 2026. The Tower is not used by Mrs Gilpin for any practical purpose, but forms an attractive feature of the property overall. The limited size of the Tower does severely limit its use, other than for storage of non-perishable objects.
Because of the location of the Tower within a private residence and the existence of a lease until 2026, it was decided to negotiate the sale of the Tower with Mrs Gilpin rather than seeking tenders. An independent valuation was obtained of the structure, and Property Holdings negotiated a figure of £75,000 with Mrs Gilpin, which it considers to be a fair and proper price.
The Tower is of historical importance and is listed with the Planning and Environment Department as a pSSI. This will secure the protection of the Tower against inappropriate future development.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Minister approves the sale of Rozel Mill Tower to Mrs Margaret Gilpin, née Hamilton, for £75,000, with each party to be responsible for its own legal fees in passing contract before Royal Court.
Written By: Principal Property Manager
Signature …………………………
Authorised By: (Director/Assistant Director PH)
Signature ………………………… 25 February 2009