ST HELIER could hold the key to protecting the Island from the worst impacts of population growth, according to the Economic Development Minister.

Senator Philip Ozouf believes that the Island’s capital could return to its ‘past glories’ with imaginatively designed homes and top-class architecture while meeting the bulk of the need for new housing which may be generated by the policy of allowing the creation of 2,500 jobs over five years. The Council of Ministers say most of that growth will be met locally but there will inevitably be some immigration. The Senator says that in the past parts of St Helier were regarded as the ‘Chelsea and Kensington’ of Jersey – places which were sought after by wealthy residents – and those days could return. The Senator says there is bound to be a ‘trade-off’ when economic growth is pursued, but that there is no reason why that should be to the detriment of the environment.