The JEP revealed last month that Senator John Le Fondré has ‘paused’ the 165-unit redevelopment of Ann Court and is considering the site for a States office block.
During States question time on Tuesday, Deputy Kirsten Morel asked the Chief Minister to outline the costs of ‘halting’ the project.
In response, Senator Le Fondré said that he asked for a ‘short pause’ rather than a halt and the matter would be discussed at next week’s Council of Minister’s meeting.
He went on to suggest that building a States HQ at the site could save tens of millions of pounds.
‘I was aware that there would be the potential of some costs being incurred [due to the delay] but let’s just put that into context,’ he said. ‘Members may know that I am deeply committed to achieving the office consolidation strategy which has been delayed for roughly ten years.
‘When I was originally involved the type of savings that we were looking at at that time were around £10 million a year.
‘That’s a combination of cash savings, avoided costs and other savings. So very simplistically, if that’s ten years, then that’s £100 million of savings not achieved through not delivering on the strategy.’
He added: ‘The costs that will be incurred on the Ann Court site will include things like the acquisition of the property and the site enabling works, which would have to be incurred anyway.
‘Rest assured that the overall impact on housing will be at the forefront of our minds. One of my passions is urban regeneration and this scheme is likely to deliver on that as well. All of this is up for discussion next week.’
Deputy Steve Luce asked the Chief Minister whether he thought delaying the project sent out the ‘wrong message’ that delivering a States office is a priority over providing affordable housing for Islanders.
Senator Le Fondré said that it was a ‘risk’ but long-term over short-term gains should be considered.
Later during the session Housing Minister Sam Mézec restated his opposition to the Ann Court project being delayed.
‘I will abide by whatever decision the Council of Ministers make but I am determined to deliver more social housing for the Island, and I hope this review is completed as quickly as possible,’ he said.
