A deal at a ‘competitive commercial rate’ has already been lined up with the grower to occupy Warwick Farm, on Grande Route de St Jean, and will come into force, if the States reject the park proposition of St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft later this month.
But the agreement would have a five-year break clause, meaning that if the States opt to rezone the site – which was shortlisted as a potential site for the new hospital – for housing in the next Island Plan, as Andium Homes wants, then the nine-year lease could be terminated early.
The lease with the agricultural company also includes provision for a pedestrian and cycle path across Warwick Farm to link Fern Valley and Vallée des Vaux.
In the longer term, once the scrapyard moves from Bellozanne, Infrastructure Minister Eddie Noel also hopes to extend that path to link to First Tower.
He said he was unable to give any further details about the company involved in the deal but said there had been a lot of interest.
‘I can say they are a Jersey company working with Environment and Economic Development and will be growing alternative crops for the Island,’ he said. ‘It is a relatively young business.’
The minister, who has signed a ministerial decision approving the lease, added that under States rules there was a 15-working-day window after the decision was signed before the lease actually came into effect, giving the States time to consider the proposition first. If the proposition was rejected the lease would go ahead as planned, and if it was accepted it would not.
In an email sent to States Members this week Deputy Noel said such a process meant the deal could go ahead as soon as possible, if it got the go-ahead.
‘The prospective tenants have provided a sound business case and competitive financial proposal to support their bid,’ he said. ‘They have complied fully with all of the requirements of our extended processes and I am anxious that their wait is no longer than is absolutely necessary to find out or not if they can acquire the use of the land in time for the 2018 growing season.’
Mr Crowcroft’s proposition is due to be debated on 26 September and calls for a feasibility study to be carried out to see if the site should be used as a country park.
Meanwhile, in May Andium chief executive Ian Gallichan said the site would be perfect for it to build 200 three-bedroom homes for first-time buyers, which could be sold for £325,000 to £330,000.
