DANDARA’S plans for the waterfront will be thrown out unless they offer a significant improvement on the designs that have frustrated and disappointed Islanders, according to Environment Minister Freddie Cohen.

The Senator will make a decision on the plans for the Castle Quay development within the next month – and has pledged to reject anything that does not offer a marked improvement. Senator Cohen says the development of 358 flats is the biggest and most important planning decision ever taken in Island history, and is one that has to be right. The plans are now devoid of towers but include a winter garden, amphitheatre and restaurants. He says he is coming up to the key moment of his time as Environment Minister. ‘I hope this will be the first development on the waterfront that will meet Islanders’ expectations in terms of a waterfront of excellence,’ said the Senator. ‘I will not be approving it unless the standard of architecture is very significantly improved and the standard of construction and materials used will have to be very significantly better. ‘It is probably the largest scheme ever considered in Jersey and it has been built up under the umbrella of Sir Michael Hopkins acting as my design supremo.’