A multi-million pound plan to develop Esplanade Square as a finance centre was approved by the States yesterday.
The plan, devised by Hopkins architects, will involve lowering Route de la Liberation as well as building offices and flats on the existing Esplanade car park.
Members approved the scheme, which is expected to take between seven and ten years to complete, by 40 votes to six.
Environment Minister Freddie Cohen had said he would resign if the plans were not approved.
*Full report in today’s Jersey Evening Post, on sale at noon
Article posted on 5th June, 2008 - 10.56am
5 Article Comments
The worst idea the states have ever had…
Why not ask the sensible people of Jersey if they want to go ahead with it rather then money spending states members who just want to have the satisfaction of saying to their kids that they built these ugly large buildings and lowered a road that works perfectly fine!
How much is this going to cost us all? We have to pay the totally ridiculous GST because we are going to be short of money and now they suggest doing more unnecessary building to make St.Helier even uglier…
The states are all mad!!!
Millions of pounds are being spent on this development and no more car parking is being provided apart from replacing what we have at present and a few new spaces for the directors of the businesses in the new buildings.How is this making provision for the future?
Planning say less parking spaces make employees more “innovative in how they get to work”. Planning also say that there will be plenty of parking on the other side of town once all the businesses move to the Esplanade side - so we are all expected to walk right across town every morning and night - very sensible!
This is so short sighted and a missed opportunity to sort out the parking problems on that side of town once and for all.
So for all of you States members who voted for this development - have a good think now about the parking problems you are going to create - never mind the traffic problems as workers circulate around aimlessly trying to find a parking space! Plus the extra traffic along there as the refuse lorrries go to the new incinerator at La Collette!
I think its disgraceful the money that is wasted in this island, could someone tell me why we need a finance centre, why we need to lower Route de la Liberation and build more offices and flats, isnt the waterfront over crowded already,and hasnt enough money been wasted on it already, nobody can see the sea anymore and the beautiful Elizabeth Castle, we might as well knock that down and build some offices out there, as we seem to be knocking down buildings for no reason at all, Senator freddie Cohen should be made to resign for putting these stupid ideas forward in the first place,and they wonder why the younger generation of Jersey do not want to vote anymore, they have no confidence in our government what so ever, i havent voted for a few years now, because not one of you senators ever keep to your word.
We are not a city, we are not London or Hong Kong and do not want to be like them, we used to be a pretty island with lots going on, now there is nothing left in this island but building works going up everywhere, the JFSC offices have been left empty, the old tourism office is left empty, why did they need a new office in the first place, there is a building by green Street round about that has been sitting empty for about 8years, why? because nobody can afford the rents for them, clubs, pubs and hotels are closing left right and centre, isnt that a clue that nobody is coming to the island anymore.
The island used to be brimming with tourists, you couldnt move on the beaches of jersey, now its like a grave yard, ive spoken to various people who have been coming to jersey for years and they have said how much it has changed for the worst.
Whose idea was it to close Fort Regent, build a swimming pool on the waterfront then find out that there isnt enough money to keep it going!! why wasnt the money put into Fort Regent and that kept going, its sitting there empty, it could be made into a fun fair for the kids of Jersey, seeing as they have had there skate park taken away from them now, and most youth centres have closed down.
Maybe Senator Freddie Cohen should come down of off his pedestal and talk to the people of jersey and see what they want for a change, after all, we are the tax payers who, will have to pay for his stupid ideas.
I CAN NOT BELIVE THAT THE STATES HAVE AGREED TO
THIS STUPID PLAN IS IT BECAUSE ONE OF YOU WHERE GOING TO CHUCK THER TOYS OUT THE PRAM IF IT WAS
NOT PASSED I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF JERSEY REMEMBER ALL THE STATES MEMBERS WHO VOTED NOT ONLY FOR
THIS BUT FOR GST
People should be like elephants. Never forget.
Come elections remember these issues and who voted for what. and if you forget visit www.statesassembly.gov.je to remind yourself of how they voted.