A MAJOR application to redevelop the Elizabeth Harbour ‘falls short in a number of ways’, according to the Island’s largest freight company.
Ports of Jersey has applied for planning permission to build a new passenger terminal, a new distribution centre and a new ‘lift-on, lift-off’ berth immediately to the east of the existing ‘roll-on, roll-off’ ramps.
It is the first stage of a major redevelopment of the Harbour planned by the publicly owned company which runs Jersey’s ports.
But Ferryspeed, which operates from freight warehouses close to the Elizabeth Harbour, has commented on the application, saying: ‘We wish to register that we object strongly to this planning application.’
The firm’s directors say: ‘Ferryspeed have been briefly consulted on the proposed scheme, but totally inadequately. We have written to Ports of Jersey under separate cover detailing our concerns, but suffice to say that there remains much discussion that needs to happen prior to finalising the proposals.’
The company say that the application ‘falls short in a number of ways’.
The directors argue that ‘these proposals will not in any way provide resilience to future changing needs in terms of the cargo operation at the port’.
They added: ‘The proposals do not at all take into account the need to ensure the port’s ‘‘efficient and effective operation’’ in regard to our strategically important cargo handling business, as we have been at pains to explain to Ports of Jersey.
‘In simple terms, the proposals will greatly impact upon Ferryspeed’s current operational needs and on the future of freight movement to and from the Island.’
The application, which is considered ‘major’, was submitted by Ports last month.
