Door opens to a new hospital site

Wednesday 25 July 2018

The Inspector responsible for reviewing the revised £466million Future Hospital proposals has opened the door to a new site being considered – but has clearly refused to hold an “Inquiry within an Inquiry."

Previous plans for a new hospital were rejected by the Environment Minister following an Inquiry conducted by Planning Inspector Philip Stadden, after he suggested the building was too big and out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Revised plans have since been put forward, but it was announced today that Mr Stadden will not only be considering those proposals, but that the choice of site, would also come into the scope of his inquiry. 

In a letter to the Environment Minister, Mr Stadden explained that he felt it would be “in everyone’s best interests” for him to consider evidence on alternative sites, especially given the Chief Minister’s establishment of a Policy Development Board to investigate the issue. 

Video: The updated plans for a lower and wider building, in line with the inspector's recommendations.

Previously suggested alternative sites include St. Saviour’s Hospital, Warwick Farm, the Waterfront (including Jardin de la Mer), Overdale, People’s Park, and a dual site solution. 

He explained: “I do think that it is safe to speculate that any proposal for a new hospital (of the scale required) on any site in Jersey will result in some adverse environmental effects. This is simply a direct product of the scale and nature of such a large development in a constrained and sensitive Island setting. As a consequence, there is merit in giving some consideration to the issue of alternative sites and the extended terms of reference are helpful in this respect. 

“Put simply, the decision maker will wish to know whether there is another site that could clearly avoid those adverse effects, or at least substantially reduce them.”

Nonetheless, he warned against holding an “Inquiry within an Inquiry” and emphasised that alternative sites were only a “potential” material consideration.

Pictured: St. Saviour's Hospital could be considered as an alternative site.

States officials said that the “main question” to be considered during the inquiry will be: “‘In the event that the Minister concludes that the application… would have significant adverse environmental effects, are there alternative site options that would clearly avoid those adverse effects or substantially reduce them?” 

The deadline for islanders to give submissions on the site issue is 17:00 on 7 September.