Dilapidated property to be transformed into autism hub

Wednesday 22 July 2020

Plans are being drawn up to transform a dilapidated townhouse into a new HQ for a charity dedicated to helping islanders with autism.

Andium Homes has now signed an agreement with Autism Jersey to refurbish St. Saviour’s Road-based ‘Sans Souci’ into a flexible hub that will meet the needs of people diagnosed with autism and their families.

The charity had previously approached Andium to help in its search for a new centre to deliver its services.

However, it was while Andium was working on a different project – widening the Ann Street Brewery housing scheme, which will deliver 266 homes – that it stumbled upon the answer. 

Pictured: The Heads of Terms were signed using Microsoft Teams.

While many vacant properties in the area will have to be demolished to make way for the new homes, the housing provider noted that, with refurbishment and an extension, Grade 3 Listed Building ‘Sans Souci’ could offer the perfect new spot for Autism Jersey.

The property was built around 1820 and has protected status due to its many original features.  

Nick Winsor, Chair of Autism Jersey, welcomed the partnership with Andium as a major step towards fulfilling an ambition the charity had held for many years.

“It is a tremendous achievement to get to this point and we are absolutely thrilled to be working in partnership with Andium Homes. We have been looking for a permanent home for Autism Jersey for some time,” he said.

Pictured: The plans for the refurbished Sans Souci site.

“The stability that this will bring is very important to the people that we work with and everyone connected with the charity. This proposal is ideal for our needs, and the opportunity to breathe new life into what is currently a forgotten building makes it even more exciting. We are grateful to the Minister for Treasury and Resources, and our many committed sponsors.

“We can now begin the final leg of our fundraising to make the Centre for Autism a reality.” 

Andium Homes Chair Sir Mark Boleat said he believed the agreement was further evidence Andium is “leading the way in delivering strategically thought out developments, carefully knitting together a number of sites in the North of Town to ensure that not only are much needed new homes delivered, but also adequate amenity space, parking, public realm and also looking at what local businesses and charities require.” 

He continued: “This is evident from our plans for the Jersey Gas site, where in addition to new homes, a significant extension to the Millennium Town Park and a minimum of 150 public parking spaces will be delivered, and at Convent Court Low Rise, where a new facility for Age Concern Jersey is being constructed in addition to the new homes. We are delighted to be working with Autism Jersey to help them also find a new home.”