“Rock and a hard place” - Premier Inn plans passed

Wednesday 16 October 2019

Heritage campaigners have lost their fight to save two Regency-era buildings on Bath Street, after a heated Planning meeting this morning saw the “rock and a hard place” application to revamp the north of town with housing, restaurant and a Premier Inn approved by a divided panel.

So divisive was the application that it caused a rift amongst the panel of politicians deciding its fate with the Planning Committee’s Chairman Deputy Russell Labey saying he couldn’t approve the plans, but his three co-panellists all gave it the go-ahead.

The proposals to inject £70million into the north of town as part of a large-scale development by local firm Le Masurier has caused controversy amongst heritage campaigners who want to save two Regency-era villas from demolition.

Now, the Planning Committee has paved the way for the listed buildings to be demolished to make way for the new site which promises 100 jobs, 145 apartments and a 122-bed hotel as part of a wider scheme to breathe life into the north of town.

Pictured: Heritage campaigners have lost their attempt to save the Regency buildings (Google Maps).

At the hearing, several people spoke both against and in favour of the application.

Amongst the objectors were former Deputy and Chairman of the Planning Committee and founder of ‘Save Jersey’s Heritage’ Alastair Layzell.

He was joined by Head of the Jersey Architecture Commission Antony Gibb, President of the Société Jersiaise Alastair Best and CEO of the National Trust, Charles Alutto.

Historic Environment Officer Tracey Ingle also offered her team’s “strong and sustained objection” to the plans given the impact on the Regency townhouse and other nearby listed buildings.

Pictured: The plans are part of a bigger scheme to revitalise the north of town (Le Masurier's).

In favour of the application were Constable of St. Helier Simon Crowcroft, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce Murray Norton, Chief Executive of Jersey Business Graeme Smith, owner of the ‘Cog and Sprocket’ bike shop in front of the Regency buildings Ian Williams, the Senior Pastor of the Freedom Church – based in the opposite Odeon building – John Stuart Jones, Manging Director of the nearby Daily Globe wine bar and islander Martin Woodley. 

Representatives from Le Masurier also spoke in favour of their own plans. 

Ultimately the application was passed with three votes – Constable Philip Le Sueur and Deputies Rowland Huelin and Graham Truscott – and the panel’s Chairman Deputy Labey voted against the proposals.