MOVES to reverse Thursday’s decision to approve the Waterfront development are being discussed by States Members.

A rescindment motion, which would overturn the decision, and the removal of States Waterfront Enterprise Board directors are among the moves being discussed by Members angry about the course of the debate.

Over the weekend various States Members have been talking about last week’s States sitting, during which the existence of an $800 million lawsuit against developers Harcourt was denied by Chief Minister Frank Walker but subsequently confirmed after the motion was passed by 37 votes to five.

After the debate, documents were also circulated by WEB which seemed to raise a note of caution over Harcourt’s ability to handle the project. Deputy Gerard Baudains, who first raised the issue of the lawsuit, said that Members had been talking over the weekend about what steps to take.

He also said that the proposition due to be debated on 17 June to expand WEB into the Jersey Enterprise Board, which would deal with development of States-owned properties across the Island, could now be put off.

‘There is going to be some fall-out,’ said Deputy Baudains. ‘If it was not so close to the elections I am quite certain that the Council of Ministers would fall over this. I do not think that that is a possibility, but there will be some interesting moments at the elections.’

Four States Members must sign a rescindment motion for it to be formally lodged, but it does not seem as though that would be a significant stumbling block.

Last week Members backed both the plans and the financial deal for a 14-block financial and residential development on top of the Esplanade car park and Route de la Libération. The road would be sunk between Gloucester Street and Liberty Wharf to allow the developers more room on which to build.

Under the package agreed in principle by the States – which could take ten years to complete – the developers would pay between £50 million and £75 million for a 150-year lease.

Deputy Geoff Southern is trying to table emergency questions ahead of tomorrow’s States sitting and says that he is among the Members considering the rescindment motion, or a vote of no confidence or censure, as a result of Thursday’s debate.

He wants to question Senator Walker, as well as the States Members on WEB – Senators Paul Routier and Jim Perchard and Deputy Jacqui Huet – about why some information was held back until after the vote.