Ann Court Site, St. Helier: use for sheltered social housing for the over-55s.

STATES OF JERSEY

ANN COURT SITE, ST. HELIER: USE FOR SHELTERED SOCIAL HOUSING FOR THE OVER-55S

Lodged au Greffe on 27th March 2009 by Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier

STATES GREFFE

2009   Price code: E  P.43

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

1. to agree that the current plans to use the site of Ann Court, St. Helier , for a multi-storey car park should be abandoned and that the site should instead be used for the creation of sheltered social housing for the over-55s; and
2. to  request  the Minister  for  Housing  and  the  Chief  Minister,  in conjunction with the Minister for Treasury and Resources and other Ministers  as  appropriate,  to  bring  forward  proposals  on  the  most appropriate manner to fund the creation of this housing scheme, either through the reprioritisation of the existing capital programme or by including proposals for additional capital funding in the next Annual Business Plan, or by working with the private sector or a housing trust as appropriate.

DEPUTY J.A. MARTIN OF ST. HELIER

REPORT

I believe that we should develop a centre of excellence and best practice for elderly living and support on this site. It is widely acknowledged throughout the developed world that society must accept the very real challenges that are being presented by an ageing population.

Statistics show that people are living longer and that their lifetime needs will have to be met in a number of ways, including more support in the community. Recently the States approved proposals to rezone green fields for "sheltered housing" (for over-55s or lifetime homes); however, I believe we have a golden opportunity to utilise a sheltered housing site development and embrace best practice and standards for the care of our elderly in our community.

Examples of this exist elsewhere, and I have appended information from Rowntree and Step, and Metropolitan Housing Trust (some of these schemes have been visited by the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment and the last Assistant Minister for Housing and they were both very impressed); but there are many more, such as Peabody,  and  one  can  find  much  more  information  on  sheltered  housing  on  the Internet. These demonstrate excellent working practice of supporting the elderly in their own home with options for both renting and buying existing, with security issues all managed, communal facilities and a variety of support systems on site or available 24 hours a day.

I am a full supporter of the Town Park and was one of many who helped in the late 1990s to obtain over 16,000 signatures on the petition which was presented to the States of Jersey on 2nd December 1997 and stated:

"To His Excellency General Sir Michael Wilkes, K.C.B., C.B.E., Lieutenant-Governor. To Sir Philip Bailhache , Bailiff , President.

To the Members of the States of Jersey.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the Island of Jersey shews –

(a)  there is substantial public support for a public Town Park with underground car park ("the Town Park") on the land currently comprising the public car park at Gas Place and the private car park occupying the site of the former Gas Company offices and workshops, the whole situate between Bath Street and the new Gas Company offices ("the entire land");".

(See Appendix 4 for the whole petition.)

As you will see, and I remember very clearly, at the time, 9 out of the 10 people who signed did so only with the guarantee that there would be parking at the site – and this was to be put underground.

The residents in the district are not happy with the new plans, and this was made clear to me and other Deputies of St. Helier No. 1 and No. 2 districts in the recent elections. The only people who have, to date, been consulted by the Housing Department were the residents living at Ann Court who have now moved out of the area; this simply is not how the States of Jersey should treat people and it is not consultation.

Now, over 12 years later and with one outside consultant's report from EDAW, the plans have changed, and the people and the States are being told that the only way to deliver the Town Park is by replacing a perfect site for sheltered housing with a 800 space car park as stated in the Annex to the Draft Annual Business Plan 2009 on page 69 –

"The redevelopment of multi storey car parks is progressing in line with the EDAW Report that concluded that a new multi storey car park at Ann Court should be constructed to serve the commuter, resident and shopper at the northern  part  of   St. Helier .  This  project  will  be  progressed  through  the planning stages in 2009."

I would remind members that, firstly, commuters and residents who now park at Gas Place have not been consulted. Secondly, the residents in the area of Ann Court, and by area' I mean not only those who will have to live with this on their doorstep, but also the surrounding area of St. Saviour 's Road, Wellington Hill (already log-jammed with the school run), James Road, Royal Crescent, and many more. Third and lastly, no-one has spoken to the market traders and the shoppers who now give their custom to the shops nearby and the market. Will this be the end of the market as we know it?

The plan to turn Ann Court into a car park which will replace 230 chargeable spaces at Minden Place and 386 at Gas Place happened as a result of a number of Ministerial Decisions and one that goes against much of what the regeneration of St. Helier needs, and also without sight of an overall integrated Transport and Travel policy document.

Are we – through a Travel and Transport Plan that the States have not even seen, working to a car accommodation policy? The question may rightly be asked whose agenda we are working to.

Anyone who has seen the New Direction (ND) document and is in support of it could not also support this planned car park. ND is trying to get small parking areas at the edge of town and encourage people to take more exercise, not only for their own health, but also for the benefit of residents of St. Helier , who are fed up with traffic noise, nuisance and pollution caused by traffic movements all day long with people looking for somewhere to park.

If there is a need to replace the resident parking at Gas Place, I am informed that planning permission was given in May 2007 to create a temporary public car park on the Ann Street Brewery site. It involved the demolition of the buildings in the middle of the site, but not the buildings fronting St. Saviour 's Road and Ann Street.

Why has this not been progressed? It must be fully evaluated. Would it provide enough parking for the residents who park at Gas Place? That must be the priority. There is also the continuation of residents' parking schemes which could help these residents who now park at Gas Place. What other choices are there?

Meaningful and current consultation needs to be carried out with the commuters and residents who park at Gas Place. Who are they? Where do they come from? Where do they work? Is Ann Court a viable alternative for them?

I would like to suggest that if we do need more car parking in the north of town, why is an extension to Green Street (where there is space) not being considered? If there is money in the Car Park trading account, a study should be carried out to add to the 603 public spaces there. If commuters have a little longer walk to the office then they will also get a little fitter. Also, Green Street car park is directly connected to the ring road with easier access via the roundabout.

The States must show in 2009 that their priority is elderly people with basic daily needs rather than car accommodation.

In November 2008 the States of Jersey Housing waiting list figures show that we need a total of 314 one-bedroom units, broken down as 142 on the waiting and 172 on the transfer list. Of these 314, 123 are specifically on the list for medical reasons, but the Department  suggest  that  all  314  would  need  ground-floor  or  lift-served accommodation in order to prevent them from having to move again in the future.

The main reason why Ann Court should remain for much-needed sheltered housing is, as the above figures prove, there is a need for it now, and that need is growing fast. Elderly people are worried about their future welfare and housing.

The Housing Department do not have any fit-for-purpose sheltered housing (either in the social or private sector) for the residents of St. Helier , but are quite willing to forgo this  perfect  site  and  transfer  its  use  to  cars.  Neither  Planning  nor  Housing  have produced any standards for what would constitute proper homes for those wishing to live in one home for life after 55 – with support. This scheme could be designed and built,  learning  from  the  experience  of  others  to  be  client-focussed  rather  than developer-led where another 20 apartments means more profit. I believe we can create a tremendous facility for the elderly and should do so.

Can the States of Jersey really let this super housing site be turned into a home for 800 cars?

Ann Court should now be at the top of the housing refurbishment list as it has been in the pipeline for many years, and it was previously agreed that some of it would need to be demolished and some of it refurbished.

I would suggest now is the time to turn this into a flagship scheme for sheltered housing, which can be financed by a number of methods. Either reinstate it to the capital programme for housing or look to a private/public partnership. The public own the land and also the decision as to what is the best use for this valuable site.

The question is simply that we have a massive problem of long-term care of the elderly. We are rezoning green fields and agricultural land in many parishes, but who is going to supply good sheltered housing in town? It should be the States of Jersey, and Ann Court should be the first site as a role model for future schemes.

The Housing Department estimates that they will lose £471,500 rental income from Ann Court in 2009, so in 10 years it is safe to say that they will lose over £5 million in rental.

APPENDIX 1.4

Extract from Island Plan Review: Strategic Options Paper Green Paper (July 2008)

(Environment Scrutiny Panel: Urban Regeneration Review Presented to the States on 2nd December 2008)

(Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel: Long Term Care of the Elderly

Presented to the States on 2nd December 2008)

MILLENNIUM TOWN PARK: PETITION _______________

Lodged au Greffe on 2nd December 1997 by Deputy A.S. Crowcroft of St. Helier

______________________________

STATES OF JERSEY

STATES GREFFE

175  1997  P.190 Price code: A

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion that –

1. a public Town Park be created on the land currently comprising the public  car  park  at  Gas  Place,   St. Helier ,  and  the  private  car  park occupying the site of the former offices and workshops of the Jersey Gas Company Limited, the whole situated between Bath Street and the new offices of that company;
2. the Town Park be known as the Millennium Town Park;
3. the  Town  Park  constitute  a  Millennium  project  for  the  benefit  and enjoyment  of future  generations  of  Jersey  residents,  the  residents  of St. Helier and their children;
4. the land should not be used for a multi-storey car park, or any other use, that would preclude the creation of a public park on the site.

DEPUTY A.S. CROWCROFT OF ST. HELIER

Petition

To His Excellency General Sir Michael Wilkes, K.C.B., C.B.E., Lieutenant-Governor. To Sir Philip Bailhache , Bailiff , President.

To the Members of the States of Jersey.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the Island of Jersey shews –

1. there  is  substantial  public  support  for  a  public  Town  Park  with underground  car  park  ("the  Town  Park")  on  the  land  currently comprising the public car park at Gas Place and the private car park occupying the site of the former Gas Company offices and workshops, the whole situate between Bath Street and the new Gas Company offices ("the entire land");

2. the maintenance of an open space on the entire land is desirable to ensure the quality of life of the residents and users of St. Helier ;

3. the  Park  would  be  a  desirable  and appropriate  project  to  reflect aspirations for the future of St. Helier as a vibrant urban environment in the twenty-first century;

and accordingly your petitioners pray that –

1. the Town Park be created on the entire land;
2. the Town Park be known as the Millennium Town Park;

3. the  Town  Park  constitute  a  Millennium  project  for  the  benefit  and enjoyment of future generations of Jersey, the residents of St. Helier and their children;

4. the entire land should not be used for a multi-storey car park or other uses precluding a public park.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Countersignature of

Member presenting...................................................................................A.S. Crowcroft

Number of signatures ............................................................................................16,404