JERSEY’S public inquiry into the £350 million Esplanade Quarter on the Waterfront starts on Monday.

The preferred developers for the site – Harcourt – are currently fighting a court battle in Dublin but will start a battle of a different kind on Monday when they are questioned by two independent planning inspectors from the UK. Chris Shepley and Alan Langton will examine the two applications for the Esplanade Quarter. Despite the project having both planning permission and the backing of the States, the inquiry could still have an impact on the overall plans.

Controversy has followed the proposed development, but that intensified when, during the States debate in June, it was revealed that Harcourt were embroiled in a court battle in Las Vegas. That brought the Irish-based firm’s financial capability into question.  So far there have been 68 letters of representation, with Islanders raising concerns about flooding, drainage, the design and whether or not the developers will be able to fund the operation in the current credit crisis.

Pictured: UK consultant Chris Shepley