From Martin Clancy, managing director, Dandara Jersey Ltd.
I refer to Mr Schofield’s letter published Friday last. I was disappointed to see him rebel-rousing to suit his own confused aims.

While Mr Schofield took time to look over our website at what we do elsewhere, he forgot to mention that he personally chaired the committee which awarded a civic award for our Spectrum development. Further awards have been given by the local panel to West Park, L’Hermitage, Beaumont Villa, HSBC House, 11-12 Esplanade and 26 Esplanade in the past few years.

I am also aware that Mr Schofield accepted an award for his own home, which he was delighted to receive, confirming that he rates the design judges and the awards very highly.

It may be that we are employing architects which are not of Mr Schofield’s choosing. Previously he met me to ask me to consider using McAslan & Partners of London. We did not, so maybe this is the real reason for his personal attack.

I am not going to reply to each of his comments, only to highlight that we are fully compliant with the Planning Minister’s supplementary planning guidance for the Castle Quay phase II site. Together with our architects, we considered the options of building heights from seven floors up to a tower at 30 floors.

However, to ensure that we achieve the best views for the residents and the benefit of maximum public space (51% of the site is not built on), we have decided on the current configuration of ground floor plus seven, eight and nine floors.

I realise there will always be people who dislike certain designs, and ultimately it will be down to the Planning Department and ministers.

What we have done is interpreted the design brief supplied by the minister, and employed one of the top five architectural practices in the world with the aim of ensuring that the Waterfront will have the best chance to be successful.

What is not in question is the need for housing to be supplied without having an impact on the countryside, and this scheme does exactly that.