La Folie flats plan ‘must be stopped’
Tuesday 25th October 2011, 2:57PM BST.
St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft is concerned about the plans for La Folie pub
PLANS to convert the historic La Folie pub near the harbour into luxury flats complete with their own moorings must be stopped, says St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft.
He has published a proposal that would block the sale of the disused pub, and which would also block the development or sale of any part of the Esplanade Quarter scheme until both have been approved by the States.
Mr Crowcroft says that the States’ new development company is working on plans to convert the pub, which dates back to the 1700s, into luxury homes.
He also says that the States of Jersey Development Company – which is replacing the Waterfront Enterprise Board – is working on a plan for a smaller version of the Esplanade Quarter scheme on the flat car park area, without lowering the road running alongside it, as in the original plans.
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
Wednesday 22 February
- New fund to help unemployed
- 'No tax rises for three years'
- Electricity prise rise in May
- Plans for new Police Headquarters revealed
- Connex raises concerns about tendering process
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
JOIN US ON...
Facebook and Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Got a story? Get in touch
KIT 4 CLUBS
Win a share of £10,000
2012 is the year of the London Olympics and to celebrate this great event the Jersey Evening Post, in association with sponsors Ogier is giving all sporting clubs a chance to win a share of £10,000.
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
It would be a shame to destroy the historic building (OK, so it’s not in use) which was such a quaint old pub. It wasn’t my local, but…
It would be even more of a shame to build yet MORE luxury flats, which would probably stand empty, as there is already a distinct lack of affordable housing in Jersey at the moment.
It would be good if enterprising locals could get it back to being a working pub again, whilst preserving as much of the character as possible (anyone remember fondly the old ‘waterworks’ in the gents toilet?).
Report abuse
La Folie is not historic it is just old!
This area needs investment
Report abuse
Simon Crowcroft is 100% correct on this I support him utterly on this one….greed has no respect for style ,tradition or taste…just nouveau riche grab grab mentality…bugger off to Marbella if that’s what you want .
Report abuse
Sounds like a great plan luxury flats with moorings great idea don’t see why this should be stopped?
Report abuse
does nobody care about this island? this was a lovely old pub in its day. why not restore it back to what it was? do we really need any more “luxury” accomodation that no-one can afford?
Report abuse
This is not to say that anything old should sit there unused, but to build yet more ‘luxury flats’ seems completely the wrong path. How many flats does Jersey need? The market is flooded. What the island needs is affordable housing.
Report abuse
Flats, flats, flats and yet even more flats…..WHY? Who lives in them? 13 pages of properties for sale but let’s keep building. WHY?
Report abuse
well done simon.
at last some one who stands up to say lets not have anymore unafforable housing .
its a shame that it is not used for social housing at this very moment.
when this comes before the states , we can see the vote on this.
no doubt the jdc is spending money of the studies into these developments , to the tune of ??
will we ever know??
Report abuse
The point here is not whether or not a pub should be restored or even if luxury flats should be built there, but where can the normal commercial business of Jersey happen?
We get the platitudinous tripe from Ozouf and Maclean that its all about diversifying the economy , encouraging new enterprise etc etc ,but if its not to do with servicing the finance industry by ‘harbouring’ offices or flats then just tough!
Sorry lads we have seen through all your guff , spin and evasive responses (have you EVER heard Philip Ozouf actually answer a question , listen to him next time you get an opportunity ,which will be many ,before the CM vote).
We are rapidly becoming a yuppie ‘Sangatte’ a staging camp for people from outside the island to park their cars before moving on to ‘greener pastures’.
No doubt the apologists will witter about ‘being grateful’.
Tugs forelock.. gets coat and departs to left. A’bie mon vy!
Report abuse
I believe La Folie was owned by the Harbours Department, now that the states have created the Jersey Development Company to manage the states portfolio of buildings and development this sort of thing is unfortunately going to happen.
Planning can’t even force developers to retain soft landscaping or have sufficient parking for the shiny box offices – so why their own moorings? If it is in French harbour next to La Folie I can see the JDC having to pay someone to scrape the mud and rusty chain marks off the shiny SunSeekers.
Moorings are just a bad marketing ploy and appalling attempt to get the horrible oily little boats out of the way and get some proper diesel guzzlers instead.
Where are the people who live in these luxury flats going to park? oh yeah forgot we will forego more public parking at the expense of the developer.
You can see the tiny chrome and glass boxes shining against the lovely granite edifice behind.. Leave this area alone, tidy it up but dont Bejazzle it!
Report abuse
Totally agree with you Simon. Don’t let it happen!!!
Report abuse
If we are so short of social housing why are you building more luxury accomodation? The irony of this is that the flats will be sold to people who probably won’t even live here, but greed gets the better again. Good luck to Mr Crowcroft ,he’s going to need it.
Report abuse
The La Folie pub site would of made a great backpackers hostle, keeping the same outside of the building just converting the inside. Short walk from the ferry terminal and into town.
Report abuse
Please do not spoil our little island. Enough ugly buildings already . The plans for these flats have not been a surprise.
What next ! why not buy Normans and the whole area can be ruined.
Thank you Mr Crowcroft, I hope you get enough support to stop this.
Report abuse
another abomination s8imon crowcroft needs a medal but i dont think he will get one after all the headland fiascos the water front etc why not build luxury flats in the Royal square save them walking to work. if anything nice spot for disaled units or some community effort as these community things are nearly all in nice private houses
Report abuse
Woody – Flats, flats, flats and yet even more flats…..WHY? Who lives in them? 13 pages of properties for sale but let’s keep building. WHY?
Good question the people who build these flats are not in the business of losing money, perhaps they know something we don’t, have they been given assurances that something fundamental is going to change. perhaps quallies will be scrapped and wealthy individuals will flood the island. Gotta be a reason for it,they are not going to lose money long term are they.
oh and why don’t they build more affordable homes – not enough profit in it for money hungry Dandara.
Report abuse
Good idea Fubar 13. Get tourists in for revenue including flights from Heathrow as before.Bea.
Report abuse
Luxury flats with their own moorings, what utter rubbish.
Can you really see the residents coming out of their shiny new modern flats in their wellies and wading into the mud to clean their Sunseekers?
‘Luxury’ in boat owners terms means a marina with 24 hour access to reach the gin palaces. This harbour dries out so the boats can only be moved when the tide is high enough.. or will the whole harbour be dug out to provide a marina for the residents? Maybe the motive for this latest load of s**te is yet to be seen….but good on you Mr Crowcroft for making a stand, there are a lot of people behind you on this one
Report abuse
I agree with everything SAPO said!
Report abuse
@13 Fubar – Brilliant idea! Rent out the cottages at the side to families and convert the rest to a hostel!
Only one small fly in the ointment – how many backpackers with limited funds would pay an extortionate sum of money to come to this concrete encrusted island with less amenities and attractions than Tripoli?
Even if they did come a states ran hostel would probably be £50.00 per person per night as ‘that is the going rate’…..
Report abuse
Step aside Mr Crowcroft, top down planning does not work.
Report abuse
This was a house long before it was a pub! why not restore/convert the building to a couple of small affordable homes….no moorings needed….no demolition…everyone should be happy…..simples!
I’d happily live there, next to a harbour and a short walk to town.
Report abuse
helen (14).
what you jest about( Normans) may come to pass , the drying harbours in front only need a set of gates to keep the water in , then boom boom , its all prime waterfront land .
not for the localy born as they will be too expensive , and you can look at your boat from your window , as the owners of this , pie in the sky development will get a mooring in the deal.
well thats if money is worth anything come the new year.
what if??
Report abuse
And once these flats are approved and built,just wait for a small addition here,a little extension there and it’ll be flats all the way to the sailor’s rest.I think this has Dandara’s fingerprints all over this.
Report abuse
Well done Mr Crowcroft! I sincerely hope that you receive the support of the majority of the population!
The developers must be stopped!
Report abuse
i am sure that it is a LISTED BUILDING,,,,,,,,,means nothing these days??????dandara will still KNOCK IT DOWN NO PROBLEM,,,,,,,,,THEN MR ALUTO WILL SAY,,,,,,,,THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED///?????
Report abuse
#13 – very good idea
#16 – basic economics. In an expensive area like Jersey, Chelsea, Fulham, Edinburgh, Bath cheap (affordable) homes need subsidised by the state otherwise they do not make profit for those building them. Do you expect them to build them at a loss? Profit has to be made for a private company to function. Land, construction costs and salaries are so expensive here that a 3 bed house can’t be sold for £250k. Numbers simply don’t add up.
Report abuse
Simon, most people would agree that you are an excellent Constable, a bigger concern is the Odean, please try and get something done about it.
Anyone sitting in the new Town Park looking at it for any length of time will begin “howling at the Moon”
Report abuse
28 – Odeon – the company that own it are far more financially astute than our glorious government. They won’t develop it until it is financially viable – does St Helier need more shops and offices in these uncertain times?
Report abuse