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3.8 Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the use of an area of the demolished former d'Hautrée School site to construct a new Good Companions Centre:
Will the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, consider selling an area of the demolished former d'Hautrée School site to construct a new Good Companions Centre and, if not why?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf (The Minister for Treasury and Resources): Can I ask Connétable of St. Peter to be rapporteur for this item?
Connétable J.M. Refault of St. Peter (Assistant Minister for Treasury and
Resources - rapporteur):
If, as a result of the review of the Education, Sport and Culture properties, which is due to be delivered around about this June, it is decided that the former d'Hautrée School site is no longer required for educational use, the Minister will consider all alternative uses for this land. This could include the sale of an area of the site for the construction of a new Good Companions Centre. However, that option would need to be fully evaluated in the context of the need to release States land to provide essential, affordable housing for the Island. The Draft Island Plan identifies a site for development of affordable housing, although the Minister for E.S.C. (Education, Sport and Culture) has lodged an amendment so that this would only apply if the land was deemed surplus to E.S.C.'s requirements.
[10:45]
- Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am aware that it is not the Assistant Minister's responsibility, but as this is such a good cause, will the Assistant Minister use his best endeavours to examine his property portfolio with a view to identifying a suitable building or brownfield site for the Rotary Good Companions? Thank you.
The Connétable of St. Peter :
The short answer to that is yes, but if I can add a little bit more to that to give it some colour. Jersey Property Holdings has been approached in the past regarding potential sites for Good Companions. However, the option of d'Hautrée School was not one of the ones considered at that time. Thank you.
- Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:
Will the Assistant Minister agree that there is also an amendment to the amendment from Deputy Lewis for removing altogether the d'Hautrée site, and meanwhile, conversely, within the Samarès Nursery proposals, which were supported by the independent Island inspector as necessary for homes, if the States were to purchase that because the seller is willing, the Housing Department can easily offer the Good Companions a home on that site?
The Connétable of St. Peter :
I am not sure which site the Deputy was referring to, whether it was the Samarès site he wanted to put it on or d'Hautrée. Would the Deputy help me?
Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:
It is in relation to the Samarès site. It has always been spoken of in the past that it was a perfect site for the Good Companions Club.
The Connétable of St. Peter :
Thank you for that clarification. That would certainly be a matter for the Minister for Planning and Environment and also, for example, the Housing Department on their needs for housing should the Samarès site become available through the Island Plan. Thank you.
- Senator T.J. Le Main:
I would like to follow up on that. The Samarès site is a site, as quite rightly said by Deputy Le Claire, as identified by the independent planning inspector in discussions with the Housing officers. Would the Assistant Minister therefore agree that Samarès Nurseries could take a considerable amount of sheltered rental homes and accommodate a new eastern Good Companions Club for the Rotary Club? It meets all the criteria. Will he agree to look into it and perhaps give his support?
The Connétable of St. Peter :
Certainly. Every option to improve the housing offering to local residents with affordable housing would be something that I would very strongly support. However, this would have to be looked at within the terms of the Island Plan and the amendments being brought forward within it. But as a matter of being in-principle, yes, I would, in general, support this. However, I would need to see the detail before I could firmly support it. Thank you.