Select a region
All new homes built in St. Helier by the taxpayer-backed Jersey Development Company could be forced to be designated as affordable under proposals from a former Housing Minister.
Next week, the States Assembly will be asked to decide whether to approve Deputy Sam Mézec's call for tougher restrictions on the type of properties that the JDC can build moving forward.
According to the most recent figures, the average price of a one-bedroom home in Jersey is now £383,000.
Pictured: Deputy Sam Mézec, leader of Reform Jersey and former Housing Minister.
The Reform Jersey Deputy has regularly called for a greater percentage of flats in large-scale builds to be designated for affordable housing.
And, he also wants the JDC's plans to build 130 flats on the site of the former Planning offices on South Hill to be blocked until a full Town Masterplan is approved.
Deputy Mézec’s proposals have been lodged as amendments to St. Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft’s proposition for another major JDC development on the Waterfront to be halted until an agreed vision for the parish is in place.
The Waterfront proposal includes plans for a leisure centre, public gardens, an arthouse cinema and almost 1,000 new homes.
Pictured: The JDC's Waterfront plans.
The Planning Committee is due to meet tomorrow to decide whether to approve the JDC's application for South Hill which features 64 one-bedroom, 69 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments on the site.
Deputy Mézec said his amendment to Mr Crowcroft’s proposition would "specifically include" the South Hill development, while also enforcing a greater designation of homes as affordable housing.
In his amendment, the former Housing Minister said: "Many of the arguments made by the Constable of St Helier about the impact of the Waterfront development are equally valid for the South Hill development.
"The development is proposed without adequate considerations in place for traffic, school places or the quality of life for those who end up in single-aspect apartments a few metres opposite from a cliff face. This is not satisfactory and must be reviewed."
Pictured: The proposals are due to be debated during next week's States sitting
And the Reform Jersey Deputy has said that any Town Masterplan should include the requirement that "all subsequent homes built by the Jersey Development Company in St Helier be for affordable housing".
He added: "Thus far in this political term no elected Member has spoken in enthusiastic support for this policy. There is no reason that it should be maintained by this Assembly. We have the democratic right to review it and overturn it."
"The government should not be in the business of building homes for the unaffordable sector. Leave that to the private sector. Our resources and energy should instead be solely focused on providing affordable homes."
A further amendment from Deputy Alex Curtis seeks to ensure the provision of "commercial spaces" in major developments can demonstrate a benefit to the economy.
The proposition and its amendments is due to be debated at next week’s States sitting.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.
Once your comment has been submitted, it won’t appear immediately. There is no need to submit it more than once. Comments are published at the discretion of Bailiwick Publishing, and will include your username.
Its a great idea, however someone has to provide the profit for the construction of these units, and that must not be the tax payer.
A decent percentage of affordable housing and the remainder at standard prices for the general market is a fine system ~ don't rock it.