Randalls, which owns the three properties at 28 to 30 Cannon Street, lodged the challenge after the Environment Department’s chief officer decided to list the buildings in November 2017.
The appeal was subsequently heard by an independent UK planning inspector in December. He recommended not to drop the listed status, and this was accepted by Environment Minister Steve Luce last week.
In a document outlining Randalls’ appeal against the listing, it states that the properties, built in 1840, were originally listed as being of historical significance before the classification was successfully appealed against by the pub group in 2016.
However, just a few days later, the Planning Department announced that it intended to again list them, as the properties had been ‘unmolested for over 30 years’. They were then listed before being delisted yet again.
Last year Randalls received another notice that the department intended to class the properties as Grade 4 listed, as they had ‘tangible reminders’ of 19th-century architecture.
In his independent review, UK planning inspector Philip Staddon stated that the houses were: ‘One of the few elements left in Cannon Street – together with numbers 8-10 and L’Etacquerel [number 6] – that are tangible reminders of its 19th-century history and early development.’
He added: ‘Although there have been some changes to the buildings over the years, such as the replacement windows and doors, the original form and group character is intact and is quite tangible, in my view.’
Mr Staddon also drew attention to the history of the cottages and said: ‘In terms of historical interest, buildings from this era have a distinct relevance to Jersey’s growth and its historical evolution.
‘The department’s submissions highlight census records, which identify the diverse range of tradespeople who lived in these houses during a period of economic expansion and growth of the town of St Helier.’
In making his decision, the inspector acknowledged that the listed status of the cottages had ‘ebbed and flowed’ and that Randalls was clearly frustrated by the latest decision to list the buildings.
However, he ruled that listing the buildings was justified and recommended that Deputy Luce dismiss the brewery’s appeal.
Speaking about the cottages, he said: ‘In my view, numbers 28 to 30 Cannon Street are of architectural and historical special interest. Despite changes to their surroundings and some later sympathetic alterations, their exterior fabric and form remains largely intact and retains a strong architectural integrity and character.
‘They have related historical interest. Overall, this special interest justifies the listing in accordance with the law and the associated published criteria.’
