Sea cadets to move to old Police HQ

Tuesday 10 November 2020

The former Police HQ is to become an interim base for the sea cadets.

The Government says works to make the Rouge Bouillon site fit for purpose are now underway and expected to take 12 weeks.

The group should be ready to move in by January next year.

Jersey's Sea Cadets are currently based at Fort Regent, but there have been concerns for many years that the rundown premises is no longer in a safe condition for their activities.

Following what has been described as an "urgent consultation" with Sea Cadets leaders, the Health and Safety Inspectorate and other stakeholders, the Rouge Bouillon site was identified as the best option for an interim site.

Efforts to relocate the cadets have suffered several false starts over the years.

Noting that the corps' headquarters were falling apart even then, the States Assembly agreed to provide land at St. Helier harbour for a new centre for the group back in 2011.

Around £600,000 was set aside for the project, with a quarter of a million spent on planning fees, legal fees and architects for the proposed Port Galots maritime centre.

Pictured: Previous plans for a new sea cadets base.

But plans were pulled in 2015 after thousands of islanders protested against the development in a campaign led by the owner of the nearby Fresh Fish Company.

Home Affairs Minister Constable Len Norman, who has oversight of the four Armed Forces Cadet Forces, was questioned about the Sea Cadet's future base by Deputy Mike Higgins in July.

He responded: "I am keen to ensure they have appropriate facilities for their activities, and it is clear to me that their current location is no longer suitable.

"My team are urgently working with Jersey Property Holdings on alternative locations for the Sea Cadets and will be meeting with the leaders of the Unit to discuss options. They last met on 24 February and discussed the need to find an alternative venue as soon as possible. There were no minutes of this meeting. This work was paused during the covid-19 period but will now resume, including more detailed consideration of locations and funding. No funding has been allocated to Justice and Home Affairs for this work but my team are working closely with Jersey Property Holdings on the options and funding discussions will follow."

Following today's announcement, the Government said finding a long-term location was still on the agenda, but that Rouge Bouillon was the "best option" for an interim base.

The former Police HQ's own long-term future is also yet to be decided, and is due to be a key piece in the Government's wider estate strategy, which is currently being drafted.

Rouge Bouillon school's head teacher Russell Price has already made an urgent plea for the land, saying that it is required for a much-needed expansion of one of the island's most "challenging" schools which is already suffering from poor facilities.

Pictured: The head teacher of Rouge Bouillon says the school should be able to expand to the site.

However, Andium Homes also has the site on its wishlist. The affordable and social housing provider wants to build 59 units of accommodation on the site.

Express recently spoke to the Government's Property Director, Tim Daniels, about the Government's estate strategy for Connect Magazine. CLICK HERE to read it.