AS anyone who has visited the Royal Square or the Central Market or viewed the sweep of Almorah Crescent will surely agree, parts of St Helier are both highly impressive and deeply appealing.

Unfortunately, the emphasis must be on the word ‘parts’. Too much of our town is tawdry, down-at-heel and, sadly, unloved.

One area which is certainly in desperate need of revitalisation and improvement lies in the north, taking in the long-promised Town Park which has so far failed to materialise on the old gasworks site. Those who live nearby and those who pass through on the way to work or shop or as visitors are likely to feel – and feel strongly – that it is high time that moves were made to clear up the numerous blots on the townscape.

A comprehensive plan to achieve this very end was unveiled yesterday, so there is reason to believe that action could be imminent – although a plan is just that, and we have witnessed other false dawns in the realm of urban regeneration.

There can be little doubt that the vision set out in the new North of Town Masterplan would, if realised, amount to a vast improvement on the present mixture of under-used space and shabby buildings that have seen far better days. It has, however, been suggested that the Town Park in the new plan would fail to meet the expected standard because it would be partially surrounded by housing.

If this is an accurate assessment of the situation, it could well be a price that we must agree to pay. The great advantage of the proposed housing is that it would transfer the financial burden of creating the park – some £23 million – from the public to the developer. Given the present state of the economy and the outlook for the immediate future, the necessary funds would not be found easily by the States and further delay and frustration would no doubt ensue.

It is, meanwhile, worth noting that the new plan might deliver not one, but three parks. The second would be at Ann Court and the third could be at Belmont Gardens. The additional public spaces would hardly be on a grand scale, but they would without doubt enhance an area which, at present, is almost unremittingly bleak.

The States will of course have their say on the masterplan, but it is important that public feedback is also part of the refinement process. Environment Minister Freddie Cohen has promised that there will be wide consultation. It is now up to Islanders to make their views known.