Senior figures from the surveying profession are visiting Jersey this week, as the Island grapples with some of its biggest housing, infrastructure and regeneration challenges.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK South West Regional Board is holding its latest board meeting in Jersey, with RICS President Nick Maclean among those travelling to the Island.
The visit comes at a time when both Jersey and Guernsey are wrestling with questions around housing affordability, major public infrastructure projects and how best to shape future development.
The visit will see Mr Maclean meet local members and engage with professionals working across Jersey’s property and construction sectors.
He said the Channel Islands faced a number of significant opportunities and challenges.
“Housing, affordability and infrastructure remain key priorities and will play an important role in the future development of the Islands,” he told Express.
Mr Maclean pointed to several large-scale developments which he said demonstrated the opportunities ahead for the sector.
These include Jersey’s New Healthcare Facilities Programme and new acute hospital, the redevelopment of Fort Regent and Guernsey’s long-awaited Leale’s Yard project.
He said delivering these projects would require collaboration between government, industry and the professional community.
“Delivering the homes, infrastructure and public services that the Islands need will require collaboration across government, industry and the professional community, alongside long-term thinking and expertise,” he said.
According to Mr Maclean, chartered surveyors and other property professionals have an important role to play in helping deliver sustainable communities.
“The insight and expertise of chartered surveyors will be vital in helping to deliver sustainable, high-quality outcomes for the unique communities and economies across the region,” he said.
He added that the profession also had a role in inspiring the next generation of Islanders to consider careers in land, property and construction.
“It is also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of Islanders by demonstrating how careers in land, property and construction can help shape the future of the places where people live and work.”
Alex Windle-Hills, founder and Director of Portland Building Consultants, is the RICS member representing Jersey for the RICS South West Regional Board, and James Duguid, Head of Design Services and Projects at the States of Guernsey, is the local representative for Guernsey.
Find out more about RICS here.
