When the proposed Lesquende development in St. Brelade is likely to be started and why this has not been progressed more quickly

2.9   Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the proposed Lesquende development in St. Brelade :

Will the Minister give an update of when the proposed Lesquende development in St. Brelade is likely to be started and explain why this has not been progressed more quickly?

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf (The Minister for Treasury and Resources):

Can I ask the Constable of St. Peter , the Assistant Minister, to be rapporteur for this question?

Connétable J.M. Refault of St. Peter (Assistant Minister for Treasury and

Resources - rapporteur):

I am pleased to inform Members that the proposals for the development of 35x2-bed apartments and 20x2-bedroom houses on the Lesquende site will be resubmitted to Planning for approval by the end of this week, 4th November. On the basis that planning approval can be achieved in the department's target determination time of 13 weeks, detailed design work can commence in early 2012 in expectation of the site being worked later on in the year. Due to the promise of the site, Planning and Property Holdings have been engaged in a lengthy dialogue in order to ensure the proposed designs are appropriate to the location. I am, however, delighted that the joint efforts of both departments will produce a scheme that will provide much needed housing and workflow into the construction industry at a difficult time and at the same time significantly enhance the built environment in St. Brelade. The Housing Department was asked to identify schemes which could be brought forward. This was one of the top projects which they identified.

1. Deputy A.E. Jeune of St. Brelade :

If I could just ask a question on that? In relation to these houses, could the Assistant Minister advise whether these are all going to be over-55s or whether there is consideration for young families to be able to purchase the 2-bedroomed houses?

The Connétable of St. Peter :

Sorry, this is part of the contribution to the delay; there have been a number of changes from when this was first brought forward, whether it was to be a mix of social housing, first-home buyer and more latterly an element of over-55s and that was brought forward for planning approval in June 2010, the over-55 element of that. It is my understanding that it will be a mixed scheme that is being brought forward for Lesquende.

[11:00]

2. The Connétable of St. Brelade :

Would the Connétable please reassure Members that consultation on the latest designs will be undertaken with the Parish because the Parish are only aware of initial ones and have not been brought up to speed with the latest changes.

The Connétable of St. Peter :

I am quite happy to make that commitment to negotiate, to inform the Parish about exactly what is going on.

3. Deputy M. Tadier :

First of all, I am glad that this is finally being brought forward. I hope it does - if the plans are correct, we have yet to see them, I think, as Parish representatives - they will be passed quickly because the housing is long overdue. Nonetheless, I would reiterate the Constable's points that the Deputies and the Constable and perhaps any other Senators in the Parish would like to be kept abreast of the development because we are quite keen that it represents the right mix and it would be good if it was something that we feel we could all support when it comes to Planning rather than raising any objections to which would be counterproductive.

The Connétable of St. Peter :

In agreeing to further the proposals with the Parish representatives I must just remind Parish representative Members here today that a lot of the contribution to the delay of the process has been because of changes brought forward on each consultation; and while if there is a definite reason why it needs to change again the Parish representative must understand that will increase the delay even further. But, nevertheless, we will do our best to work with them.