“Don’t make it white!”

Thursday 24 August 2017

The inspector tasked with reviewing plans for Jersey’s new hospital says very few islanders have come forward with their views.

He’s now put out a fresh appeal for people to get involved.

The ‘new’ hospital is being built in Kensington Place and backs on to the current hospital site. It involves buying and demolishing a number of properties in the street, and knocking down part of the existing hospital. At an estimated cost of £460m it’s the most expensive capital project to ever be undertaken in the island.

Because of the scale, the cost and the controversy of the project, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, has decided to hold an independent public inquiry. It’ll be open to the public and is expected to last about a week starting from 6 November.

To make sure as many views as possible are heard the public are invited to submit their comments. This can be done in two ways: by writing or emailing the independent inspector by 8 September; or by writing, emailing or telephoning the independent inspector by 8 September to say they wish to speak at the public hearing. Written submissions should be limited to 1,500 words.

The inspector heading up the work, Philip Staddon, says: “The inquiry will sit over a number of days, exploring different elements of this major and complex development proposal, but I will make time, each day, for any member of the public who wishes to speak. I would also reassure people that the inquiry will be conducted in an open and inclusive manner. There will be no court room-style cross examination and it’ll be accessible to anyone who wishes to take part.”

One of those who has commented so far though is St Saviour Deputy Jeremy Macon.  He says given that the hospital “will be so visible I think the inspector should press for a ‘good looking’ building and use the Percentage for Art scheme to get nice arch ways, or cast moulds depicting healing images.”

He goes on: “It’s going to be seen. As that’s the case, let it be a showcase for art. Not the usual glass, chrome, white render which seem to be the vogue thing at the current time – giving it an office / industrial feel – it’s a place for healing, birth and in some cases dying.

“Also, from a States / taxpayer point of view on the maintenance – please make sure that the building is NOT white! This is a heavily trafficked area and yes it might look great once new but a year or two down the line when the black from the fumes settles and the bird mess has hit it – a huge white building will look awful – again I stress how visual this building is going to be.”

He also says one of the most common complaints from constituents is the lack of emergency parking – something he’d like to see tackled.