I am proud of my record and the schemes I have approved
Tuesday 26th April 2011, 3:00PM BST.
From Senator Freddie Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment.
FOR decades Portelet had been blighted by a massive ugly holiday camp. Prior to my appointment a planning approval had been granted for the development of flats and houses at Portelet.
Therefore I never had the opportunity of returning Portelet to nature as would have been my preference. My Portelet decision should not be seen as a precedent for other coastal sites.
The developers were ready to start building to the original approved plans, which I felt were unexciting, lacked environmental credentials and did not include any art. I asked the developers to consider a new scheme, and they commissioned Sir Richard MacCormac RA, a past president of the RIBA and member of the Fine Arts Commission who importantly delivered a design that is 15 per cent smaller than the old holiday camp.
The proposal is an holistic piece of design, merging architecture, with landscaping by Robert Townshend and art by Wendy Ramshaw CBE. The building is being built to the very highest standards and construction is presently under way but the landscaping has not commenced and the art work is not in situ. Consequently the scheme presently looks bare and incomplete, particularly as scaffolding is still in place.
The choice was simple: Sir Richard MacCormac’s scheme or the scheme for which approval had been granted before my appointment.
As Planning Minister I am used to criticism during the construction phase of the new developments I have approved. The El Tico redevelopment was criticised during
construction but once completed Islanders delighted in its bold
reflective architecture. The Ogier building at 44 Esplanade was also criticised
during its construction but now Islanders praise its contemporary design and it is shortlisted for a major RIBA award. Interestingly Portelet has already won six national and one international architectural and design awards.
I have now been at Planning for nearly six years. Time confuses memory and some of the personal comments in your letters page are reflective of those who seek to blame me for mistakes such as the Radisson Hotel, La Coupe and the overbearing houses overlooking Le Hocq, St Aubin and at St Brelade’s Bay. In fact I bear no responsibility for any of them as each predates my appointment.
Conversely I am proud of my record at Planning and the schemes I have approved. In this context I regard El Tico, 44 Esplanade, 50 Colomberie and Wayside at St Ouen as great successes and incidentally each was designed by a local architect.
The current furore over Portelet has resulted in personally abusive messages, letters, blog entries, and emails some of which were viciously threatening and disgustingly anti-Semitic.
Surely this is not acceptable, whatever one’s opinions over whether the revised scheme is better or worse than the previously approved scheme.I am proud of my heritage and proud to serve my Island.
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Senator Cohen, you are speaking for a minority of one, yourself!
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It may not be totally Freddie Cohen’s fault but it was built on his watch to plans that he approved.
Thus in the view of many islanders he does bear some responsibility for it.
The facts are that a great many other huge or not particularly attractive buildings have been constructed as well.
A lot of islanders feel a bit like someone who has been punched in the back while standing in a crowd, they feel hurt but do not know who to blame and they will go for someone close at hand.
Thanks for reminding me about El Tico. That is another excellent reason not to vote for you in the autumn and remarkably you admit 100% responsibility for the mess!
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Mr. Cohen, I take on board the comments in your letter but do you really believe that hideous incinerator built at Havre-des-Pas was in the interests of local residents and Jersey Heritage
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Actually, some of the worst planning approvals were made under Senator Ozouf’s watch as President of Planning and Environment.
I remember his first interview with the JEP after his appointmant,in which he said, “I’ve never been known as much of an environmentalist.”
Says it all, really.
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I must admit to being someone who has critised the Portlet developemnt, but after reading Mr Cohen’s letter concerning such personal abuse, I think that noone should have to deal with that. Perhaps it’s time to give the Minister a break and wait and see what happens.
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I thought he said he was only standing for one term but by the look of this letter (and his recent appointment as unofficial foreign minister) it looks otherwise. Dream on Freddie, you will not get re-elected.
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I do not agree with sending abusive letters to Senator Cohen but I do not see why he should be given a break because of them.
I read his manifesto in which he sets out his case for being elected a Senator and becoming Planning and Environment Minister and I voted for him on the basis of that manifesto.
In the light of his record I think it was misleading if not completely dishonest, if he stands again that will be another promise broken.
He is being a bit misleading in pointing out that some of the developments have won prizes. Architects are worse than actors in awarding each other prizes and awards and their manic puffery and preening regularly makes it in to Private Eye.
As for his assertion that islanders delight in some of his Frankenbuildings, the proof will be in November if he dares to stand again!
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#6, Pip Clement. what is a “Frankenbuilding”?
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HIS ISLAND !!!!
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I don’t agree with most of the things the Senator does or says and feel we have the right to criticise positively but there is never room for treatening behaviour or anti-Semitic remarks – Disgraceful and very sad !
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“#6, Pip Clement. what is a “Frankenbuilding”?”
It is a blended word.
I have taken Mary Shelley’s idea of Frankenstein as the creator of a monster, removed the stein and added building.
It means that Freddie Cohen is the progenitor of monster buildings across the island.
It is not original, other people have used similar constructions.
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I agree, El Tico is a lovely building BUT (big but) it broke the rules by being 2 stories high and that’s why people were miffed.
Also Freddie, why give the Odeon an SSI then say that you will consider removing it if a plan that you like is submitted?? Makes no sense. Either it’s an SSI or it isn’t. You could have removed the SSI and then said that the scheme needs to be a good one. Nothing can be done without planning permission. Hedging your bet me thinks.
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7. Realist.
“Frankenbuilding” is what is happening to Jersey.
The next building to get this treatment is the old warehouse in Patriotic Street.
Basically an old building with a new one on top or around it. If you Google the word for images you will see the mistakes other people have made.
Thanks Pip i now have a new word for Scrabble.
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“Dream on Freddie, you will not get re-elected.”
Careful what you say about our next Chief Minister!!
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I don’t agree with sending nasty letters to a politician, but they do have to accept responsibility for their decisions.
In particular when those decisions affect all of the population – ugly buildings are one.
But other States members have to take responsibility for the other massive errors they have made in recent years – for which they have no electorial mandate – increasing the population – GST – the massive overspend, including civil servants on £300 k per annum. I could go on ..
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@6 Frankenbuilding – genius!
I don’t agree with the abusive letters and certainly not the anti-semetic remarks, but the criticism received for some of his appalling decisions? Thouroughly deserved!
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Dear Minister for Planning and Environment, criticism is always hard to swallow, very much like disagreeable medicine. However, in a similar way to disagreeable medicine, it often helps one get better. So take it like a man and not a whining schoolboy.
P.S. The day the people of Jersey reward you with applause and congratulations is the day you truly have a right to feel proud.
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Mr Cohen, you are now a bona fide member of the ‘Club’.
Unfortunately, it is not an exclusive club, it members include: the English, the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish, the Portuguese, the Polish, the police, the rich, the poor wretches in the park, the pinkos, the people with children, the children themselves, the obese and, last but not least, the various Confessions of Faith.
You see, there are some people in Jersey who have an intense dislike for almost everyone. So, don’t be hurt by their antisemitism…did you really believe they would exclude the Jewish community from their list?
Instead, be happy to be a member of the ‘Club’ and accept the fact that some people find it hard to accept ‘the different’ (as Sir Whatnot said in his letter to the JEP). Nonetheless, the threats are worrying and unkind and I hope you find the culprits and bring them to swift justice.
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No. 4 Peter – you are right, those who pass hideous plans may not be solely responsible, however, the residents at Havre-des-Pas had bull-dozers on their doorsteps, dirt, rubble and their privacy invaded for many months with no apologies given or any clean up offered.
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Mr Cohen-The building at Portelet may well have won some awards as it may be the most fantastic building in the history of the universe but you seem incapable of understanding that IT IS IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!!It may blend in to some locations but not in what used to be a scenic and beautiful small bay on a small island. I think it is cowardly and disgraceful that someone is being abusive or aggresive towards you but sadly there will always be people hiding behind anonymity who haven’t got the courage or intelligence to face you in person.However I am not surprised that many people hold you personally responsible for assisitng in the ruination of what used to be a pretty island which was full of character.Jersey is certainly not the place it was when I was growing up and I am pleased to be out of it.
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Freddie, you could bring all this to an end by resigning and withdrawing from political life. If your drive to better our lives on our behalf is that strong, I would think it would also be strong enough to cope with the name calling, ‘vile blogging’ etc.
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No 19. Very well and concisely written, Julie. I agree completely with your comments. However, (much as it is good to vent our frustrations) will we actually be able to stop the seemingly relentless greedy desire to build inappropriate buildings in Jersey?
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Defend this one Mr Cohen..
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2011/04/27/house-for-sale-at-1m-less-than-original-price/#comment-102232
This is a “Frankenbuilding” at its best form.
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The problem with this guy is that he over-rules his Planning officers, strongly suggests people use his consultants and has a large control issue going on. (I was going to say “God complex” but was concerned someone might view that as anti-sematc
)
I think when we look back at Senator Cohen’s “reign” there will be a few buildings nicknamed “Freddie’s folly!”
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“Iam proud of my record and the schemes I have approved” regardless of the publics opinion,regardless of the environment,regardless of the quaint and pretty jersey bays….I really worry genuinely about the mindset and stability of anyone who in the face of a Tsunami of opposition can make such a statement..one wonders what other outright nonsense runs through this mans thought processes,,,,A lie down in a darkened room prior to wring an apology to the people who love Jersey along with a letter of resignation….would go some way toward the right behaviour.
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Any kind of Anti-Semitic attack is motivated by pure evil. Moving on form that to Portelet, Freddie has made the best he could of an awful mess and situation that was created by the irresponsible and unaccountable decisions made (under Philip Ozouf’s tenure), by officers in the Planning Department.
Unfortunately, the Planning Minister, the one who has to take the rap for these bureaucratic parasites, does not have the authority to hire or fire them. And because there are no capable local candidates available, a Common Purpose Puppet has to be parachuted into the post of Chief Planning Officer in order to carry out someone else’s agenda that constantly seek to undermine and bypass policy.
It is obvious that the Planning Department does not follow Planning Law and or the official policy as set down – they just make it up as they go along. Stop blaming Freddie, because he, like all other Ministers, just ends up being no more than a messenger boy for the department – Ministers say what they’re told to say (often pure departmental lies) and can do very little about it.
The solution: a law must be introduced that would make it a crime, punishable by no less than two years in prison, for any States Officer to deceive (lie to), withhold information and or mislead a Stated Member.
If States Members cannot obtain all the departmental facts, figures and information, they simply cannot make the correct decisions in order to properly govern this Island. So throw the flack where it is deserved – at the planning officers and the developers who flatter them.
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Freddie, I would like you to tell us why the developers suddenly felt the need to employ
“and they commissioned Sir Richard MacCormac RA, a past president of the RIBA and member of the Fine Arts Commission”
was he one of the architects you visited soon after becoming planning minister when you were looking for assistance with the waterfront?
Were the developers nudged to employ him as you would look more favourably on the application if it was endorsed by him?
Are you telling us as planning minister you had no sight of Sir Richards plans prior to the application?
Freddie you have had 6 years, it really is time to go, yes you have had El Tico but you have also had the Incinerator, yes you have had the Ogier building but you have also had Castle Quay
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Freddie, I would like you to tell us why the developers suddenly felt the need to employ
“and they commissioned Sir Richard MacCormac RA, a past president of the RIBA and member of the Fine Arts Commission”
was he one of the architects you visited soon after becoming planning minister when you were looking for assistance with the waterfront?
Were the developers nudged to employ him as you would look more favourably on the application if it was endorsed by him?
Are you telling us as planning minister you had no sight of Sir Richards plans prior to the application?
Freddie you have had 6 years, it really is time to go, yes you have had El Tico but you have also had the Incinerator, yes you have had the Ogier building but you have also had Castle Quay
Funny isn’t it, lets look at the controversial ones, castle Quay, Portelet, La Providence, the rabbit hutches at Spectrum I shan’t go on but we all know the common thread in the developemnts that shouldn’t of got through.
I would say however that the personal abuse has gone way to far when it becomes anti-semitic but although totally unjustifiable in any way does show the amount of ill feeling YOUR judegments have caused, and should make you realise that politics is not for you.
I wish you no ill, but do hope that you do the decent thing and step down and live a peaceful life away from the Establishment to which you have a firm membership of
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Does he actually say… it’s not my fault all those other buildings were passed before I became minister AND THEN say what did you want at Portelet the plans that were passed before I became planning minister or the ones I approved?
Either he can overturn previous decisions or he can’t. Clearly he can, so yes Freddie you are to blame for all the monstrosities built in the past six years. Thanks for clearing that up for us.
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Hello “The Jersey Bull” #25
Interesting points.
I Always thought that you would mellow – I do like your hard line on civil servants but haven’t you overdone the mellowing on Cohen ?
Are he and his fellow politicians men or mice ????
Are they not the elite of society, their metal tempered in the furnace of commerce and edged and tested in the university of life ?
-Perhaps not.
Can we take it that you [JB] will be voting for Stuart Syvret if he ever chooses to stand again ?
Didn’t he have the strength and integrity to demand performance and accountability from senior civil servants ?
Was he dismissed for undermining “staff morale” to give the impression that he was engaged in bullying doctors and nurses ?
Who aided and abetted the civil service in the dismissal of Syvret ?
AH – it was our elected “elite of society” who, with a few notable exceptions, are lining their nests one way or another and filling up their little cheek pouches -squeak – squeak !
My politics are very different from Syvret’s but I know that Jersey and the world need men and women like him.
Syvret may recover from the ongoing roughing up – In the past he has shown considerable fortitude against adversity and has usually been amongst the first to defend even his adversaries against inappropriate attack, be it anti-Semitic, homophobic or whatever.
The race card might be a convenient umbrella for Cohen to take cover behind.
“two years in prison” for lying civil servants (and at least partial castration for sex offenders ?)- Should there be similar punishments for States Members who lie or mislead ?
Prison may not be a deterrent – most of these characters have already spent decades living at public expense – You need to hit them where it hurts – in the pocket – or the “sack” if you prefer ?
Where exactly does the buck stop ?
- & don’t some of these “little bucks” need stopping ?
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Mr Cohen I am sick and tired of hearing you say the words ” award winning” “renowned” and “world class” They mean nothing to me. One can buy degrees on the internet and I am sure awards as well. All we want to see is solid buildings which blend in with their environment and are likely to last more than 50 years
I don’t care what architect you use. If a completely unknown architect working from a spare room in Jersey has the imagination to come up with an inspirational and beautiful design use him instead of these stale ” award winning” old men.
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@29 Brilliant observation.
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30 Hedinda Sands: in response to your question: “Are he (FC) and his fellow politicians men or mice ???? Are they not the elite of society?”
Answer No. Politicians are not the elite of any society; let alone ours. And because a clear separation between the State and Education is currently denied to us, the qualities required for statesmanship no longer exist. So put a peasant on a horse and he or she will ride for the devil!
As a result, today’s politicians are no more than straw puppets on the end of strings manipulated by the banking elite from behind the ‘temple bar’ near the old embankment – I’m sure you can figure that one out…
However, you also ask “where does the buck stop?” Well, it does stop with our States Members, because at the end of the day, it is they and they alone, who vote for or against what is dished up by the Civil Service in the form of proposals – including the annual budget.
Unfortunately, few have the ability or courage to say ‘No’ to the bureaucrats – especially when it comes to defending our privacy, freedoms or when it comes to spending our taxes. In fact there has been no attempt in the past twenty years by any States member to remotely cut Government size and or spending – but that is another issue.
Your assumption that I would vote for S. Syvret is quite wrong. Not even at the height of his popularity would I have considered doing such. Syvret’s main agenda, like that of all politicians, was and will always be to look after himself first. And the best and most deceitful way in which to do that is by hiding his own agenda behind the illusion of having a concern for the pain and problems of others – people do this all the time. But, apart from crying fire in a packed theatre, I would defend Syvret’s inalienable right to free speech and full expression; regardless of how repugnant that might be.
Apart from Syvret’s own efforts and stupidity, the civil service were well able to engineer his downfall; aided and abetted of course by their ‘messenger boy’ Ministers who say and do what they’re told, plus any other mealy mouthed politician that could be knocked off along the way – quite easy to do when you run the whole system.
Finally, suggesting that Freddie ‘might’ be hiding behind the race card is, in my opinion, way out of line – I could use stronger language here… It’s rather like hiding one’s own anti-Semiticsm behind the phrase “I don’t hate jews, I just hate Israel – and her policies!”
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Another dreamer, States if full of em.
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Majority or manifesto`s are full or ojectives that cannot be achieved and the rest is Bull____.
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Thank you Julie @ 20 – well made points – couldn’t have said it better……
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#20 ‘…what used to be a scenic and beautiful small bay…’
The bay itself is still scenic and beautiful.
The only thing vaguely attractive in the area above the bay was Janvrin’s Farm.
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“Freddie you have had 6 years, it really is time to go, yes you have had El Tico but you have also had the Incinerator, yes you have had the Ogier building but you have also had Castle Quay”
The Ogier building is another disgrace. Why didn’t Freddie announce that all buildings on the Esplanade should be of similar style and identical height? Instead, as each site is developed it is made about 10 foot higher than the previous highest one (culminating in the monstrosity on the Swansons side that is currently unfolding). The effect is discordant and ugly. Look at Paris – the reason it is so beautiful is largely because all buildings have tolive, rather than compete with, each other.
What is so difficult to understand about the principle that a building needs to be judged in context? In other words, Planning should be about having a plan. Doh!
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38 Pond what do you mean “You’ve had El Tico as if that were some sort of success….El Tico should have been same size and height…despite the planning committee wanting it to be so, COHEN single handedly overode the committee’s wishes and guidance and allowed it to go up a floor….so let’s get it right it was another wrong or decision…in Favour of lest we forget another states member JOHN LE FONDRE is the beneficial owner of said building…let’s have some honesty and integrity here.
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The Jersey Bull 33
Re: It’s rather like hiding one’s own anti-Semitism behind the phrase “I don’t hate jews, I just hate Israel – and her policies!”
I would be grateful if you could be more precise.
Firstly, could you explain what you mean by “Israel”:
- are you referring to the congregation of Israel, the Zionist state and its army (please remember that not all Jewry and their rabbis are Zionists) or simply territory?
Secondly, could you explain what you mean by “her policies”:
- are you referring to ALL the decisions made by Zionist leaders or simply those decisions which represent the true wishes of the People of Israel.
Thank you.
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Truthseeker. Pond was quoting another poster and so was not himself praising El Tico.
Otherwise I agree with you. Similarly, I also agree with Pond.
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@40 Born Warrior.
In answer to your question; Israel, Meaning the modern State of Israel and by Policies meaning those enacted by the State. As for Zionism, secular or religious, the difference should be understood and clearly defined when using the term. Otherwise, the issue is about accusing Freddie of hiding behind anti-Semetism, which in my opinion, is not nice.
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Jersey Bull 42
So,on the basis of what you say:
- if an individual does not like the States of Jersey and the States of Jersey policies (which, in some cases, can be considered anti-newcomer thus a form of segregation, if not apartheid) consequently, that individual cannot possibly like the islanders.
If this is true, the large number of islanders (seen regularly on this forum) who do not like those who set and administer public policy (i.e. The ‘States of Jersey) and their policies consequently, do not like themselves.
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