Constable fights rent hike for Springfield nursery

Tuesday 15 June 2021

The Constable of St. Helier is supporting a town nursery facing a 62% hike in rent from its landlord, the Government.

Simon Crowcroft has formally asked the States Assembly to back his call to force Property Holdings, the department that looks after the public estate, to maintain the rent paid by Leeward Child Care at Springfield Stadium at its current level, save cost of living increases, until a new lease has been negotiated.

Constable Crowcroft said: “I have recently been contacted by the operators of the Day Nursery at Springfield who have been informed by the Minister for Infrastructure that the terms of their lease are to be drastically changed. 

“While it is to be understood that the Property Holdings Department needs to pursue a policy of market rentals, especially given the history of the Government’s woeful handling of its property portfolio, I believe that the department is being unreasonable in expecting an invaluable day care facility to take on board swingeing increases in rental (initially the increase was 62%, now reduced to 45% in the first year, rising to 62% in year 4) which will inevitably impact adversely the 120 families who depend on these facilities, and potentially the 30 staff who are employed there. 

“If the proposed rental hike and other new costs which the nursery will be expected to bear are not reconsidered each family with a child using a full-time place will have to find an extra £400-£500 a year for each child to continue using the nursery. 

“The day nursery, which has operated successfully on this site for 23 years, is also being advised that their new lease will include a three-year break clause, which is also unreasonable if the operators are to run the nursery in a way that offers security to both staff and parents.”

As well as call for a rent-freeze, the Constable is also seeking assurances from Transport Minister Kevin Lewis and Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham that the park around Springfield’s synthetic pitch will stay the same size and the children’s playground remains where it is.

Pictured: The Springfield pitch.

This follows planning approval to push the fences back at each end of the pitch to increase spectator capacity, in response to the success of the Jersey Bulls football team.

Constable Crowcroft said he was “still in the dark” about the future of the park, trees and playpark around the pitch, despite previous assurances from ministers.