Call to turn empty St Helier offices into housing

Tuesday 08 April 2014

There are too many offices being built and not enough houses as the plannng minister makes unpopular decisions, according to a local estate agent.

Roger Trower, owner of Broadlands Estate Agents, is calling for empty offices to be converted for housing as yet more commercial developments are given the go ahead on the Esplanade. Speaking in an interview in this month's Connect magazine, Trower said if there is a move to build offices down towards the Esplanade then the offices at the other end of town have to be used for housing.

"I'm not absolutely convinced that we should be building loads of offices down at the Esplanade and covering over a car park because car parks are desperately needed as well." said Trower. His comments come as three large office developments on the Esplanade have  been given a green light by the Planning Minister, Deputy Rob Duhamel, in recent months.

"Whether I'm an estate agent or a caring parent, or whatever, those are my views. The last thing you want is your kids growing up here, going away to university, coming back with the right skills and then thinking, 'Oh God, I'll never be able to buy my own home'."

Mr Trower was scathing in his comments about the Planning Minister, and said the recent Airport Arrivals hall débâcle was an example of, "...just how off the wall he can be. He's not been able to make a decision at all for the twenty odd years he's been in the States, and now he's making decisions at last people don't like what he's doing."

The Estate agent said the housing market in the island is beginning to improve, but there's a need for more housing for the over 55s and first time buyers. He also called for the island to continue to be allowed to diversify and attract wealthy immigrants: "They bring in wealth to the Island, they actually generate it and they bring in good ideas. These guys are moving their businesses here, they're employing people, local people, they're paying serious taxes and they're very good for the Island. The politics of envy which we see a lot, we don't want that."

You can read the full Connect interview here: http://epublishbyus.com/connect_magazine_-_april_2014/10036523#.U0FRMJiRC8N