13 March 2012
Land in States ownership which could be released for development is the subject of new planning guidance issued for consultation by the Minister for Planning and Environment. Sites include the former Jersey College for Girls, the Summerland site and the current Ambulance Headquarters, all situated on Rouge Bouillon.
The release of draft planning guidance by Deputy Rob Duhamel follows recent news, from Jersey Property Holdings, that the former Jersey College for Girls (JCG) site could be developed to enable, in particular, the development of new affordable homes to help meet the Island’s housing needs.
The potential development of a new Police Headquarters at Route du Fort has raised the prospect of delivering affordable homes on the Summerland site, which is presently occupied by the States of Jersey Police. Similarly, the Ambulance Headquarters is already identified in the Island Plan as having the potential to provide affordable homes, should it be released for development.
“The Island Plan debate last year delivered a clear message that the States should use some its own assets to provide much needed truly affordable homes. These sites can play a pivotal role in doing that and encourage the regeneration of town,” said Deputy Duhamel.
As well as dealing with the type of housing tenure that should be provided, the draft development briefs set out the key planning issues that need to be addressed on each of these sites.
“The JCG site presents some particular challenges, given the prominence of the former school and its setting of open grounds and mature trees, all of which are protected, but it also represents a great opportunity to develop unique homes on the edge of the town. The development of the site offers considerable potential, with the conversion and refurbishment of the historic building, as well as the chance to build new homes to the rear and the east of the old school building, which should provide for a real mix of homes to be created. The draft brief allows flexibility to enable this,” he said.
“The former Summerland and Ambulance Station sites will remain operational until such time as their operations can be relocated, but the scale of these two sites could, in the future, afford an opportunity to create a new residential quarter with its own identity, as well as a chance to restore street frontages, in a contemporary style, that reflects the architectural character of this part of the town.”
The Minister is inviting comment on the draft development briefs over a 4 week period, ending on 9 April 2012. The draft briefs are available in the consultations section of the States of Jersey website.
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