A MAJOR redevelopment of the Waterfront could be blocked until a Town Masterplan is in place, and all future Jersey-Development-Company-built homes in St Helier may be forced to be designated ‘affordable’, if States Members agree.
Just two items of public business are on the agenda for this week’s States sitting.
St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft is calling for a full plan for the future of St Helier after criticising the ‘relentless developments’ in the Island’s capital that he says are affecting the quality of life of his parishioners.
And he said that a major development on the Waterfront proposed by the government-owned JDC – which could include swimming pools, a cinema and 1,000 new homes – should be halted until such a plan is agreed.
In his proposition, Mr Crowcroft said: ‘I am not asking that the scope of the current Waterfront plans are reduced or abandoned. Only that they are paused while a Town Masterplan develops an agreed vision for St Helier and puts in place the policies required to support its delivery, and protect the quality of life for all urban residents.’
St Helier Deputy Sam Mézec has lodged an amendment to Mr Crowcroft’s proposition calling for tougher restrictions on the States-owned developer’s future projects. He wants Members to agree that all homes built by the JDC in St Helier should be earmarked for affordable housing, while also seeking to include the firm’s plans to build 130 flats on the site of the former Planning offices on South Hill – which was rejected last week by the Planning Committee – within Mr Crowcroft’s call for a Town Masterplan.
A further amendment from Deputy Alex Curtis seeks to ensure that the provision of ‘commercial spaces’ in major developments demonstrate a benefit to the economy.
Meanwhile, External Relations Minister Philip Ozouf has lodged plans to update the Island’s sanction and asset-freezing laws. If approved, the move would remove the powers within the law to implement European Union sanctions provisions by ministerial order and, according to Deputy Ozouf, further improve the Island’s compliance with international standards. Twenty-one written and 21 oral questions have been tabled. Social Security Minister Elaine Millar, Treasury Minister Ian Gorst and Chief Minister Kristina Moore are due to face questions without notice.
