Waterfront plan gets the go-ahead

Monday 2nd August 2010, 3:00PM BST.

Environment Minister Freddie Cohen.

Environment Minister Freddie Cohen.

MULTI million pound plans to transform St Helier’s Waterfront have been given the go-ahead.

After years of controversy surrounding previous developers Harcourt, today Jersey’s Environment Minister, Freddie Cohen, has agreed in principle to the building of a major financial district on the reclaimed land.

It would mean the sinking of the main road from the Grand Hotel to the underpass and building 14 blocks of office space, shops, flats, public gardens and a hotel.

• See Monday’s JEP for full story.


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  1. 1
    Danny

    Based on how long the avenue took to complete we can look at 20+ years of road works for this one. Im no engineer but is it a good idea to sink a road when the sea is so close by thus making it below sea level. Surely that will flood. Im sure they know what they are doing though..

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  2. 2
    lesley

    If we have multi millions of pounds available for the waterfront why is the island so broke it needs to cut services, raise taxes and bring back presecription charges. This is ludicrous.

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  3. 3
    mick

    Cohan is an enviromental disaster get rid of him before he destroys jersey

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  4. 4
    Helen Back

    So who has really been given the contract? Place your bets here!

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  5. 5
    Dave

    Who are going to occupy these flats and offices? (apart from a few states departments who probably fancy expensive new offices)

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  6. 6
    Bean Bag

    Danny, I am glad you think that they know what they are doing, you have stole a march on me, I cannot see the logic of it.
    Allegedly, there were 460 jobs lost in the finance industry in the last 12 months, the industry appears to be shrinking,I hear or see no evidence to indicate otherwise.
    There are over 1,ooo properties for sale in Jersey at the moment, some for a long time, they continue to build more, they must know something the rest of us do not have a clue about.
    They are hellbent on increasing the population, although nobody seems to make any reference as to how the services will cope, the Hospital is already under pressure with waiting lists becoming longer, to confuse things even further, they are asking for redundancies when in fact more people will be required to manage a larger population. Confused?, you bet.

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  7. 7
    Jersey Boy

    I wonder how long these office blocks will stay empty for??

    Im sure that block near the round about on green street is still empty!

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  8. 8
    Real Truthseeker

    Well done Senator – the usual nay-sayers will whinge and whine abotu it, but a great idea to increase the attractiveness of Jersey as a financial and business centre. All those wishign to return Jersey to tourism and farming…. *giant raspberry!*

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  9. 9
    Clem

    Great as banks shed staff we build more and more offices to sit empty, what a fantastic waste of money the “hard-up” states have on offer.

    Why not use Fort Regent and return it to the arena of fun it was for so many kids in the 80s. Kids are crying out for something to do, and we focus of making offices. Time to think, me thinks

    Sometimes Revolution feels like the natural choice when a senator opens their mouth

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  10. 10
    Overpopulated

    How many of the locals actually want this?

    What demand is there for these offices?

    There is already a huge number of flats/houses for sale – who is going to buy the 4,000 new ones?

    Are the builders going to be made to employ some of the local unemployed or will the just be allowed to use more low paid immigrant labour?

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  11. 11
    trish

    I am sure that the current States members are all out to cripple the Island completely! What was a nice friendly quaint island is now a cut throat money grabbing melting pot of greed. Leave the Island alone – we do not want all these totally over the top blots on the landscape which are going to cost the man in the street his last penny in taxes. Nor do we want road works and diversions for the next five years costing a fortune in avoidance motoring. Sack the lot of them and save your sanity

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  12. 12
    Mr Cynic

    Evidently Freddie has suddenly realised that now that he has approved the waterfront monstrosities for Dandara there will be a huge gap between the esplanade offices and the waterfront. So to even things out hey presto more offices, a sunken road (literally!), years of upheaval and it won’t cost us a penny? hmm too good to be true – someone will make a killing and I bet it won;t be the tax payer! there aint no such thing as a free lunch Freddie!

    This shows how naive and gullible our states members are.

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  13. 13
    Real Truthseeker

    Bean Bag: you obviously are not up with the current news. The finance industry has been the largest recruiter on the island over the last 12 months, as well as considerable demand coming from the Finance sector. Your figures were true (ish) for the 2008/09 year, but since May 2009 the finance sector has been recovering very well.

    Clem: WHat else do you need for the kids!!! They have enough ‘stuff’ up there, combiend with the skateboard park – for crying out loud, what do people expect from the States when it comes to wayward children? Simple, build a detention centre, and fill it with alcohol – that will sort the problem out eventually.

    For those whinging abotu the amoutn of money to be spent, I think you will find it won’t be the States havign to foot the bill – it will be a private gig, which is exactly what it should be!

    There is just no pleasing some people… to all of you whingers – next boat. Get on it!

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  14. 14
    Chill Out

    ..Only took 10 posts for someone to bring up immagration……again! seems like it doesn’t matter what the subject is someone always manages to blame immigration

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  15. 15
    Real Truthseeker

    Firstly Developers are paying for the costs, NOT the States.

    Secondly the Finance industry has had the largest recruitment over the last twelve months of any industry (there was no net loss of jobs, quite the opposite).

    Thirdly, revenue to the island has increased for the first six months this year, compared to last year (re: Tax Office).

    I am a local and in support of it.

    How many more lies and deception is to take place by nay-sayers to achieve the WRONG decision. Well done Senator!!!

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  16. 16
    Nikolatai

    @Real Truthseeker – your views seem seriously skewed (along with your spelling & typing ability) in comparison with the vast majority on board here. This suggests to me that you’re either here simply to wind people up (not very hard, it’s what happens everytime you flick through the local rag) or you, and only you, know something the rest of us don’t. If it’s the latter, please clarify:
    1) How exactly do fancy new buildings attract new business to the Island? There are big shiny buildings in any number of centres around the world, any a good number of those will offer a cheaper labour force of similar ability.
    2) How many established businesses have indicated an interest in moving to a new business/financial quarter?
    3) How is such a volume of traffic going to be re-routed when one of the busiest stretches of road is to be out of use?
    The list could go on and on, but as I understand it the good folks at the JEP are stuck moderating our comments rather than behaving as journalists and answering our questions (said in jest folks, but hint hint – stop rolling over and asking for a belly tickle; let’s start asking SERIOUS questions)

    Assuming your mentality, I can think of only one solution – pistols at dawn, I’ll see you in the waterfront carpark in the morning with the Loser to end up on the ‘next boat’!

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  17. 17
    Freddie_4_CM!

    Not content with an orange building on the waterfront voted the worst in britain and a series of ugly industrial boxes on the waterfront masquerading as a cinema and leisure complex we are now to have more styless and crass Dandarda apartments on the harbourfront with the delightful Cube at Havre des Pas in the distance (probably the only building in the channel islands you can see from space!) and the chief planning officer has given the green light to MORE unnecessary development.

    Either the man is mad or power has gone to his head. Is there some surgical operation that is compulsory upon becoming a states member that removes the rational parts of the brain as well as those that deal with hearing and sight?

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  18. 18
    Martyn

    Real Truthseeker….

    The only reason the ‘Finance Industry’ has had the largest recruitment over the past 12 months is because its getting the point where people have no choice but to work in it FOR THE MONEY. Sure we have people qualified in tourism management, in History, In sport etc, but people cant apply for the jops they have trained in because they just dont pay sufficiently to get people decent houses (yes HOUSES, not whatever dandara built in their Spectrum development), and for them to live on, only the finance industry does. Its just a fact… and you think we should be encouraging it? Well if you like living under a dictatorship, fair enough.

    Its not needed, simple. The offices on the esplanade are empty, they havent even began on the swansons site yet, and as a previous poster has said, the offices near green street are still empty. Whats the problem with them? Not modern enough? Not close enough to an outlet of Jersey Pottery for lunch breaks???

    If we havent got what the banks want, then they can get on the boat in the morning, we shouldnt ruin our Island for them. Its ruined enough as it is…

    Its gonna be the start of another campaign… The Jersey Beans VS the Immigrant Bankers. Here we go again……

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  19. 19
    Dave

    Is it not blatantly clear by now that the current crop of half wits who are apparently running our island haven’t got a frigging clue what they are doing????
    The Haute De La Garenne fiasco.
    Graham Power suspenedc for 2 years but there ‘not being enough time’ to take any action.
    The incinerator Euro fixing debacle.
    The constant squandering of our hard earned taxes….and now this half wit who seems to give planning for any development as long as it is massive and will contribute to the island looking even more awful than it looks already.
    We need to vote these idiots out and get people running this island who know what they doing.

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  20. 20
    truthseeker

    Remember the O2 arena anyone…? hundreds of millions….fell on it’s ass,then sold for a quid…the taxpayer was ripped again and the private sector snapped it up for nothing….that is why I hate quango’s they don’t work for us only the scally’s who set em up and tear em down…..not the way to manage or go..ask Cameron he smashed over 50 quangos that were draining vast quantities of dosh in his first few weeks…..he will also reign in the Elf’nsafety freeloaders.jobs where no jobs exist… we could start here at T.T.S. sense must be restored….

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  21. 21
    Tony

    Bean bag n0.6

    Agree there must be a hidden agenda that has been tipped off to developers & finance sector what that agenda is.
    Why keep it hidden if its to benefit the island?
    Are we going to be the new Hong Kong?
    lots of new high rise & new residents to purchase all this property that locals cannot raise the funds for even now.
    So many asking these questions apart from the ones that can & should.

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  22. 22
    Real Truthseeker

    Martyn – I won’t even bother with your points since they are not valid. The majority of employees in the finance sector is by far local JERSEY people. Farming is majority immigration supplied. So understand yoru facts before spouting off rancid comments.

    Nikolati: Yoru points are easily refuted. Firstly having a ‘professional’ environment relative to other ‘offshore’ areas which indicates stability is certainly ways to promote the industry. Before investing billions of pou nds, bankers don’t do it lightly, and infrastructure is key. Bankers steer clear of onshore places like India because of poor infrastructure, and onshore places like the Cayman. Further, bankers are less interested in ‘cheap’ labour, and pay for the skill quality of people, which is why Jersey is the way it is. If people were after cheap labour, then Jersey woudl not have made it where it is. This isnt manufacturing fool!

    The reason for the typo’s is because I have a bottle of Bollinger in one hand, and typing one-handed, but it doesn’t change the message for all those with way too much time on their hands.

    Ohm and by the way, I am not a politician, nor am I tryign to wind people up. This decision is sound. End of.

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  23. 23
    getonmaboat

    The states clearly wants to create a Euro property market namely flats for all. Those who are lucky enough to have bought a house then your market will continue to gain. What it will mean is people currently owning flats, like me, are unable to move forward but then those who cannot not afford to buy a flat should be able to. Do banks lending for Danadara have compliance procedures, there is this think called source of wealth….

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  24. 24
    Mjolnir de Jersiaise

    Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the EU pull the plug on Jersey’s finance industry after this project is completed? It’s time to get out I think…

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  25. 25
    JULIE

    Once again I am extremely distressed to read these latest ludicrous plans.I visited Jersey last week to see family and cringed yet again at the ugly Waterfront,the empty flats and offices and general mess that is called St Helier.Traffic is worse than ever.Freddie Cohen should be replaced before he does any more damage.

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  26. 26
    R B Bougourd

    Oh, the irony of the sequence of events that started with the campaign to “Save Queen’s Valley” and hasn’t yet ended with the waterfront (I prefer not to honour it with a capital w).

    What the feel of money can do to those who love Jersey. Eh?

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  27. 27
    Jerseygirl

    What a nonesense! This plan will such the life out of St Helier. What we really need is land to build affordable housing on, and housing for those who want to downsize or live in sheltered accomodation, and have a little outside space to sit ot. Where is that land – the Waterfront site perhaps!

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  28. 28
    SBYSH

    The people responsible for approving this decision should be sacked, surely they must be accountable to someone, if not why not!!. Does no one in the States ever listen to what THE PEOPLE want or think about what the Island really needs. The Waterfront has already been ‘developed’ (aka overbuilt). I do wonder if anyone in the States can actually read or if they care anything about this once beautiful Island. Certainly not Freddie Cohen Minister for the ruination of the Environment!!

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  29. 29
    Faye

    I’ve been visiting jersey every year for the past 24 years and it just seems to be going from bad to worse! When is someone gonna put a stop to what seems to be constent and un-necessecary building work in the island?

    It’s beautiful just as it is!!!

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  30. 30
    Bean Bag

    Having read all the comments, there is little doubt that “Real Truthseeker” is a highly intellegent person,I also have little doubt that he/she is having a good chuckle to his/her self every time he/she posts a comment.

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  31. 31
    pugwash

    Lets have all those in the States declaring their Interests in the Building Companies ,The Building Supply Companies(foreign imports included)and whatever else these Pariahs have their Pilfering fingers into,
    ENOUGH IS ENOUGH YOU SCOUNDRELS BE OFF WITH YOU!!

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  32. 32
    H. J. Masterman

    Will you all stop your moaning about the ineptitude of those balloons in the States ! After all it was your vote that helped put them where they are. ” Boat in the morning !” you say ? Well, I say “Too late! the smart ones took that boat years ago ! ” Poor Poor Jersey !
    Me ? I left in ’53

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  33. 33
    Gary

    31# Pugwash – that would be fine but our States members in their wisdom, unlike most goverments in western countries, limited the requirement to declare interests so that indirect interests, i.e. shares held in certain types of Trusts, share option arrangements etc. need not be declared. Very convenient!

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  34. 34
    Dave

    Cohen must have a good old chuckle to himself when he walks into his office every morning with the title ‘Environment Minister’ on the door. Surely even he can see the irony in that one.

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  35. 35
    Martyn

    “Martyn – I won’t even bother with your points since they are not valid. The majority of employees in the finance sector is by far local JERSEY people. Farming is majority immigration supplied. So understand yoru facts before spouting off rancid comments”

    I wont start an argument, as we are of course entitled to our opinions. I shall just say this…. you try being 24 in todays Jersey and NOT wanting a career which means you’ll spend your whole life in an office, with endless powerpoint presentations and constant gossip around the photocopier about whos doing what at the weekend. Dont think im making this up, myself and, as near as makes no differecnce, all my friends have worked in finance in the past and we are all glad to be out. Yes it paid well, but thats about it. We all agreed we would rather be out working for the benifit of everyone rather than helping those, who are already wealthy, become even wealthier.

    As a result, 26 of my friends who once worked in finance (Literally covering all major highstreet banks and 6 private banks), gave it up to try out other industries, ranging from hotel and attraction management (one person 2nd from the top position), to retail management and Travel associated employment, all of which were considerably lower paid than Finance. Subsequintly, they left the island to work in the UK, where you can work where you like and live in decent sized HOUSES, not flats, and buy decent affordable food at REALISTIC PRICES

    The simple fact of the matter is that no other industry has as good a pay scale as finance, hence it sucks all the young in.

    Some of us see past the financial propaganda (mainly the pay), and get out whilst we can, but the only other options are either leave the island, as you say (though why I should when Im born and bred)or suffer by choosing another industry.

    Financial district….. Just no

    Economic Diversity… Yes

    I’ll leave it there, experience provides the truiest facts.

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  36. 36
    Tobias

    “I am a local and in support of it”

    Real Truthseeker now I am convinced that you really are just on the wind up

    A few years ago a friend of mine left Jersey to live in Tauranga, she likes it there and intends to stay but it doesn’t make her a Kiwi.

    One day we may have a colony on the moon or even on Mars. Astronauts could perhaps live there, however that would not make them Martians.

    And by the same analogy, someone who came here from New Zealand (why?!) to live in Jersey does not make you a local.

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  37. 37
    Gary B

    So I have a few questions aboutthe proposed plans?

    1 Where is all of the debris / hardcore that is going to be dug up going to go, remembering that we have already paid to bury it once where it is as it is on reclaimed land (ie we reclaimied it and now we are going to dig it up again!)

    2. Could Freddie or TTS or someone show us the alternative route that will have to be taken whist the burying of the road takes place and perhaps accompany it with an impact study which one assumes must have ben done?

    3. I can see the logic in burying the road but feel its now too late and will cause total chaos whilst it happens, so who other than Freddie has actually asked for this, and please don’t say Hopkins architects they are just a puppet for Freddie!

    Now I think we can assume that there must be demand for some office space or the developer would not take on such an undertaking without pre-lets or sales, what I would like to know is …are the states in anyway guaranteeing anything should the other office space not get taken, in other words is there a bill that the the taxpayer may have to foot further down the line?

    And if our illustrious Environment minister is reading this please can he tell us what he intends to do with the toxic ash that the new incinerator will produce, I understand (But am happy to be corrected) that the ash the new incinerator will produe is very very toxic and its not something we are going to want here in Jersey!

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  38. 38
    truthseeker

    37 Garry b.this is how illustrious he is….there is NO where for the toxic ash to go..he is responsible for the environment and planning..an untenable situation if ever there was one.as planning he can criticise a house overlooking St Aubin.and yet sanction the hideous incinerator building..Hello..?especially when they all knew that a Plasma Gasifier waste plant would fit easily in the Bellozanne site and produce not only no flyash problem but six times..yes 6 times more electricity and come in for less than 50 million and not need the now nescessary new road behind Normans with no change from 60 million..so in a nutshell we could have had a waste solution for less than the cost of the new road,with 10 million change and no incinerator or building…DER..!

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  39. 39
    Real Truthseeker

    Martyn, I am from New Zealand, and enjoy the finance industry, moving here to be involved in it. I enjoy that it isn’t abotu just makign welahty people wealthier, but managing peoples supernnuation for their future to bring abotu the best returns to give people considerabel money for their retirement. So if the industry you want to work in isn’t availabel here in JErsey then move. Simple. I had to, so you move to where the demand is, if what you want to do isn’t here, then next boat and morning go well together.

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  40. 40
    Real Truthseeker

    Truthseeker @39
    1. The two cubic metres of annual waste from the new incinerator is hundred of times less than what is currently produced.
    2. The new incinerator has no fly-ash.
    3. The incinerator had to go where it is next to the electricity station to be able to share the same facilities – in other words, not create bureacratic waste.

    If we listened to you truthseeker, Jersey woudl just have jobs for you and your mates. Get yoru facts right before you rant as usual.

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  41. 41
    Gary B

    40 Real truthseeker, I can assure you that the New incinerator will produce toxic ash and it is not something we will want to have in Jersey, not maybe not perhaps but definetly toxic ash, and I have my facts 100% spot on

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  42. 42
    wake up

    Real Truthseeker, you say you are not a politician, but you sound like one; pompous, full of yourself and you think everything you say cannot be challenged. You need a reality check, not everyone is loving life in Jersey and most of us can’t just island hop as we please, like your privileged self has.

    As for Mr. Cohen’s latest plans, hah what a joke, what is he trying to prove? I’m all for developing and modernising Jersey but let the public have a say before you bow at the feet of Dandara and the like

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  43. 43
    Steve

    Real Truth Seeker,
    2 M3 of bottom ash? In your dreams!
    If you are only going to burn enough to produce 2M3 you have a vastly oversize incinerator that will never even be self sustaining.
    So I’m guessing you are a politician. Only they would swallow that.

    And I assure you, your incinerator will produce fly ash. It won’t be released up the flue, it will be captured in the treatment system.
    You still have to deal with it.

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  44. 44
    Pip Clement

    ‘The two cubic metres of annual waste from the new incinerator is hundred of times less than what is currently produced.’

    It really does not matter what type of incinerator you have it will still produce about the same amount of ash.
    Ash is the mineral matter that will not burn and is left over after the flammable part has been burnt.
    Some materials are completely combustible eg natural gas and they produce no ash, but wood, paper, etc contain signifiacnt amounts of calcium slats etc so they leave an ash.
    It is just simple chemistry really.
    As for your statement about two cubic metres of ash, it is simply insane, thousands of tons of rubbish will leave hundreds of tons of ash, how much will depend on the compostion of the waste material being burnt.

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  45. 45
    Born Warrior

    Wake up 42. et al

    WAKE UP EVERYONE! Real truthseeker is a troll!

    Real truthseeker is a ‘local’…but was born in New Zealand.

    Real truthseeker knows ‘EVERYTHING’…but not the difference between qualies and lineage.

    Real truthseeker ends most comments with: “End of”…but continues to battle on.

    Yes, Real truthseeker is definitely a Troll…and a female!

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  46. 46
    Real Truthseeker

    #41, I can guarentee you with my involvement, the toxic ash is NOT airborne but contained. Get the facts straight before spouting off.

    #42: Catch a boat – you can leave when you like. With your next welfare cheque why don’t you use it for a ferry ride to Portsmouth. Simple.

    #43: Firstly half right, in that there is no airborne toxic ash. Correct, the asj has to be dealt with, however the current ash load is HUGE compared to this, as I said nearly hundred times more, and we are dealing with that. The tempreture of this incinerator is such that the ash is less. By nearly a hundred times our current incinerator.

    At least Steve contributes to the debate!

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  47. 47
    Pip Clement

    ‘#43: Firstly half right, in that there is no airborne toxic ash. Correct, the asj has to be dealt with, however the current ash load is HUGE compared to this, as I said nearly hundred times more, and we are dealing with that. The tempreture of this incinerator is such that the ash is less. By nearly a hundred times our current incinerator.’

    I really doubt that 100 times less figure.
    There is inevitably going to be metal oxides from the combustion of aluminium ring pulls and foil, steel can tops and other metal based waste that will be dumped in the rubbish and will burn to produce metal oxides that are not volatile.
    Add in china clay which is widely used as a filler in paper, plastics, etc and lots of other things that will simply not burn to carbon dioxide, water and other gases and go up the flue and there is bound to be ash and plenty of it.
    Maybe you could consider boning up on a bit of basic chemistry before insulting other posters!

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  48. 48
    Gary B

    46, please educate me you say “the toxic ash is NOT airborne but contained”

    Now I have re read my posts I do not see where I mentioned airbourne but I agree its contained, but you still have to move it and find a home for it, perhaps you could explain to me where it is going to go?

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  49. 49
    Real Truthseeker

    #45 Born Warrior:
    LEt’s get a few thigns straight, because your bile continues relentlessly, from little more than gross errors of guess-work.

    1. I am from New Zealand.
    2. I regard myself a ‘local’ having lived here for 25 years, marrying a local, and have four ‘local’ Jersey children.
    3. I am NOT a politician.
    4. I was a Director in a Trust company, though am retired, and manage New Zealand superannuation funds.
    5. I am Male.

    Further, my contribution to these blogs are based on fact, not opinion, or lies, but what is good for the future of Jersey. It is no longer an agri-business island, nor is it a tourism destination. It is a place to visit, but not a tourist meca. Jersey has, and will continue to move on. Farming is to costly here compared to other places, and most people welcome that, it improves my children, and the general education on peoples on the island.

    You and your lot huff and puff as the voal minority, but thankfully you are a dying breed.

    RT

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  50. 50
    wake up

    nah, I have a job and have never claimed benefits. and no, i cannot leave when i want, i have other commitments, unlike you who fled your home country,, but to be fair you where you chased out.
    I get the impression you have very few friends and make try to boost your ego on websites. Your a real keyboard warrior, well done you.

    if you want to make a difference to Jersey then leave, we could do with less people like you who think they have the answer to all the problems.

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  51. 51
    Gary

    #49 – Real Truthseeker – Director in a Trust Company, or Director of a Trust Company? There’s a big difference.

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  52. 52
    truthseeker

    It is futile to respond to lunacy..we have trolls and those who clearly have been rumbled and
    seen through,there are the establishment sycohants,obvious Freemasons and Govt,engratiators along with colonial minded living in the past folks, which while it ads variety and colour is really just silly.this thread has highlighted the pranksters and deluded..therefore serves a good purpose…

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  53. 53
    Bean Bag

    There are a lot of requests for various people to “take the boat in the morning” to so simple these days either, you never know when or if it will sail.

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  54. 54
    Real Truthseeker

    Well Gary, I was a Director of a Trust Company, and worked in the company – it is all semantics.

    What rubbish do you spew forth Truthseeker? Whislt you while away the time at home and your husband brings home the bacon, whilst you relentlessly dribble out irrelevant obscure comments…. they get worse throughout the day… when do you crack open your first bottle of chardonnay? lunchtime or earlier?

    Your views are like those of a gnat… irrelevant.

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  55. 55
    Gary

    #54 – RT – a director of a Trust Company is on the board of directors which ‘govern’ and manage the Trust Company. A director in a Trust Company may be an employee who is from time to time appointed as a director of a client company, but is not on the board of directors of the Trust Company itself.

    Not semantics – clarity.

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  56. 56
    Pip Clement

    When I worked in the finance industry there was a real difference between directors and partners who held equity in the business and salaried directors and partners who were just managers with bells on!
    I take it you were a member of the latter category with chips on each shoulder, I just hope they balance up! :-)

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  57. 57
    Gary B

    Real Truthseeker I would be grateful if you could answer No 48, thank you

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  58. 58
    Born Warrior

    Real truthseeker 49

    Aww…poor you…(pats on the head), you took that badly, didn’t you?
    But I stand by what I said, you are a Troll! Your sqabbling tone, peevish comments and grandiose sense of self-importance are all far too eagerated to be real.

    And, you really should stop using words like “bile” and “spew”, such unrefined language is so unbecoming of a lady…but then again, not all female trolls are ladies!

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  59. 59
    Love

    #40 Real truthseeker

    “The incinerator had to go where it is next to the electricity station to be able to share the same facilities”
    I love the sound of shared facilities. If as many states offices as possible were re-located to a redeveloped Fort Regent shared facilities could become a money saving reality. Empty office space from the move could be let/sold to the Finance sector. The pool could be renovated and would be easily accessible to the increasingly healthy States workforce for lunchtime swims.
    A direct link to snow hill (lift/escaltors) would give direct access for Fort offices to the royal court, States building and social security whilst also linking town offices to the swimming pool.
    All this without the further desecration of our island and SPACE that still exists at the waterfront. I do not share the current States vision which appears to be to create a HK style island in Jersey.

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  60. 60
    Love

    With regard to the development permission at the waterfront:

    1) Following the euro conversion debacle I sincerely hope that the waterfront development will not become another massive expense for taxpayers. Please, States members, (if you are intent on the further desecration of our island), give the taxpayers an undertaking that Harcourt will have signed a document confirming they will not be involved in the development PRIOR to it being assigned to any other construction company. The taxpayer has no wish to foot the bill for an expensive court case.

    2) Please help me on this one…have I misunderstood? Is it REALLY possible for a planning minister to give permission in principle for development of a plot of land? This permission assigned by an INDIVIDUAL to a plot (ie not to the owner). Therefore, if there is a change of minister (following an election), or landowner (from sale)there is NO scope to reassess the status of the land and at no time has it been subjected to democratic discussion? If so, is permission in principle a mere forerunner to more detailed planning permission at a later date? Does this mean that the Planning department would have to give planning permission on any land already having “in principle” status?

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  61. 61
    TurnOutTheLights

    I know 3 banks (one high street name) that are looking into moving their operations elsewhere and/or amalgamating their Jersey offices into Guernsey….

    The new finance centre already exists – just not in Jersey. Europe and the ROW are legislating against offshore centres and non competetive practices. When a level playing field exists (and it will come) Jersey will just prove it is more expensive than anywhere else in the world to do business.

    Jersey and the states must remember its small fry in a pond of very big fish.

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  62. 62
    Leah Holmes

    Oh go on Freddie, build a multi-million pound development on reclaimed land. But, when it floods, do not expect any of us to help with the clean-up costs, please make sure that there is sufficient insurance in place which includes cover for the ‘natural disaster’ (or in this case stupidity) that is flooding.

    In a battle between Freddie and nature, who will win?

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  63. 63
    Pip Clement

    The question of liability to pay for losses due to flooding of the reclaimed land is an interesting one that deserves an answer.
    Will we get one?
    The answer begins with ‘N’ and ends with ‘o’ :-(
    C’est la vie!

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  64. 64
    Real Truthseeker

    Apologies for my absence, I have a life, and have been camping out at the beach in the van with the family over the weekend.

    Firstly, to answer Gary, it is buried, just as is the existing ash produced from the toxic incinerator that most people seem to want to keep! However the volume is so much less that we are much better off.

    Also Gary, I don’t own equity in the company in the sense of havign contributed, but my equity has come from share-bonuses (this isn’t a partnership structure by the way).

    Love: Jersey has moved towards a HK structure in the main centre of town, and I (along wth many others in the industry along with the Chamber) welcome this. If you don’t want to live in a HK environment, move to St Ouen, or get the next boat to the UK.

    The vocal minority will never win. Ever. End of.

    Well, I am back in the office on Thursday, so why don’t you come and visit me in my van at St Ouen… might even shout you a beer Gary. Tuesday at midday?

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  65. 65
    Real Truthseeker

    Born Warrior, you must be single, because who on earth woudl want to wake up next to you.

    Most people here, including myself are here to debate the issues at hand, and discuss and contribute to the progress of Jersey.

    Your efforts are simple bile, and rubbish which does nothign else but show your weakness.

    You are a perfect example as to why people need to get a licence to vote, because if you do – Jersey has no chance!

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  66. 66
    truthseeker

    Jersey has become known as a place that is easily”Had over” contractors have moved in here ,taken on projects….failed then asked for more money than quoted to finish the jobs,when told no,the ruse is to say ..o.k. we’ll just go bust and you’ll be left with half an unfinished project..and so we bailed them out..HA ha say the contractors…and now Harcourt want back in having failed to come up with the dosh when asked..two deadlines ..both failed…they also have “Frozen” projects elsewhere along with legal wrangles in Nevada then there’s the Bermuda thing…well it’s all out there…we need to deal with people, and let’s be open.

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  67. 67
    Leah Holmes

    “If you don’t want to live in a HK environment” You are the only person I’ve come across in Jersey who thinks an HK environment is suitable for Jersey. I suspect the majority can see that having the offices inland and keeping the shore more attractive is an entirely sensible way to do it. The current philosophy is certainly not going down well with the remaining tourists either.

    You’ll probably find there’s a majority, they’re just to disillusioned to bother being vocal anymore.

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  68. 68
    Gary B

    Real Truthseeker, thanks for the response, I think we will have to agree to disagree as I am confident that the new incinerators ash will need to be more than just buried due to its level of toxicity.

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  69. 69
    Love

    #64 Real Truthseeker

    “Jersey has moved towards a HK structure in the main centre of town”

    With the rate of development at the moment it won’t be long before the HK style has consumed all areas of the island as far as the nether regions of St Ouen. :-( The States appear to be focussed on population growth. When will the infrastructure catch up? Surely, if mains drains and Bellozanne are struggling to cope with a poulation below 100,000, they will stand no chance above 100,000.

    It would be interesting to know whether the majority of island residents have chosen to live in Jersey because they like Jersey or because they like Hong Kong!

    Change and development is not always equal to progress and improvement.

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  70. 70
    Born Warrior

    Dear Miss Real “high-life” truthseeker, what have I told you about being peevish, closing sentences with “End of” and using words like “bile”…some Trolls never learn.

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  71. 71
    C Le Verdic

    #64
    ‘Apologies for my absence, I have a life, and have been camping out at the beach in the van with the family over the weekend.’

    There you are, he must be a local because non locals are not allowed to camp in vans at the beach!

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  72. 72
    Real Truthseeker

    Love – HK is too warm…

    Seriously though, the employment here in Jersey is such that the Finance industry is a centrepiece of the employment levels here in the island. To continue wth this industry the island requires infrastructure to meet the demand and expectation of a professional service offering.

    Whether people work in the industry or not, Jersey benefits hugely from it both by employing people directly, as well as the indirect employment (eg. restaurants, clothes shops… the list goes on…).

    Arguably the two most beautiful cities with wonderful waterfronts are HK and Sydney. We can have the waterfront contain offices, residential, at the same time as having the area as a central entertainment zone, an area for festivals etc., for example New YEars Eve celebrations and the like.

    This is a great opportunity, however the vocal minority simply want Jersey to wind back the clock.. it won’t happen. Onwards and Upwards!

    Born Warrior: You been drinking AGAIN!. I see you are still clinging to the rock with one hand on a bottle of vodka… you must be to come up with such a silly name.

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  73. 73
    Born Warrior

    Real truthseeker 72.

    I happen to be very health conscious, so please don’t confuse me with the heavy drinkers you sit around the camp-site bonfire with…”you high-lifer you!”

    Anyway, I’ve allowed you to indulge far too long in your peevish-name-calling ‘Troll’ game so, I’ve decided to challenge you to a Duel!
    “Powder puffs at dawn Madam!”…on the beach, near to where you parked your van…I suggest you avoid wearing your high heels, they’ll sink into the sand, but you may want to bring some gloves to protect your manicure!

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  74. 74
    Sanity

    The new incinerator will not create toxic ash – just ash. Anything toxic that comes out of the incinerator was toxic before it went in although the incinerator will destroy most toxins in the burn process and catch much of what remains in the multi-million pound filtration systems.

    Compare this to Guernsey where ALL their waste is dumped in a massive toxic land fill that has conveniently been left burning for many years.

    It is us, the public who create the waste and fail to separate toxic materials such as batteries and electrical items.

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