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The Jersey Development Company is "working with" the Government on plans to regenerate Fort Regent, according to the Infrastructure Minister.
Constable Andy Jehan also said that he hopes to have planning permission for the project “in place” before the end of this Government's term of office in mid-2026.
He made the comments after a letter, which he sent to the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, stated that the long-awaited transformation of the iconic but ageing site was "now being progressed by the States of Jersey Development Company".
Pictured: A section of the letter providing updates on a number of projects included the above line about Fort Regent.
Constable Jehan yesterday told Express that progression of the project by the JDC was not a case of handing over responsibility of the site, but that Ministers were “working with” the Government’s development arm.
He said: “We’re collaborating with them, so the site is still very much a States of Jersey site, but we have a company that specialises in development and we are utilising its skills to come up with some designs and get us to the next stage.”
The Infrastructure Minister said that the redeveloped site would have “something for islanders and visitors alike that is sustainable and practical”.
Constable Jehan said he was not ready to share further details about the plans yet, but said “hopefully we will be in a position to share more” after meetings scheduled to take place this month.
He added: “We would hope to have plans and planning permission in place during this term of office."
Pictured: Fort Regent has been subject to years of political debate regarding its future.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, who chairs the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, said: "We are aware that the Government is reviewing its land and its assets, so we are monitoring it."
She noted that the matter would likely be raised at a hearing with the Infrastructure Minister next week.
"This [Fort Regent] is a big one so we will dive deep into it," added Deputy Jeune.
Deputy Tom Coles, Vice-Chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, pointed out that regeneration of the "prominent" site had "always been something on the public agenda".
"We will have to wait and see what the plans are and the delivery times," he said – adding that whatever was brought forward would need to provide "public benefit" without "extreme cost".
Deputy Coles also said he did not want to see the site "sold-off", though he acknowledged the JDC was "good at delivering on developments".
Pictured: Deputy Coles said that he did not want to see Fort Regent "sold-off" following a redevelopment.
Most sports clubs have relocated from the site, which has been in limbo for several years after proposals lodged by former Chief Minister John Le Fondré’s Government were scrapped by Deputy Kristina Moore’s Council of Ministers for being “infeasible in the current economic climate”.
Those plans – which were to take shape over ten years – featured proposals for a multi-purpose venue for conferences, sporting events and concerts, alongside a hotel, cinema, ten-pin-bowling alley and casino.
Pictured: Former Chief Minister John Le Fondré had tried to push forward redevelopment plans that were later scrapped by Kristina Moore's government.
News of the collaboration with the JDC comes three months after Mr Jehan told the same panel that he had seen “exciting” £80 million proposals for the site, which included a permanent skate park, play areas and visitor facilities.
He said at the time that costs to run and maintain a revitalised Fort Regent were still unconfirmed and that the fate of the plans rested with a States Assembly vote.
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