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Did you have ‘déjà vu’ when reading about the Government’s ‘Future Fort Regent’ vision? When Express delved into every report produced over the past 25 years, it found that all bar one idea had been raised before.
Unveiled this week, the Government's 'new' plan for the Fort includes proposals for a hotel, conference centre, bowling alley and casino – all of which were suggested in previous reports.
The only potential use proposed by the Government that has not officially been proposed before is a cinema.
Dave Curtis, the Project Director, said Fort Regent could host an "independent" cinema with up to four screens - but that will require a commercial operator which has yet to be identified.
Video: Senator John Le Fondré discusses the 'Future Fort' vision.
Even the 'phased approach' adopted by the Government – with the ‘Early Phase’ already underway and the ‘Longer Term’ one to follow over the next decade – was mentioned in 1996 by Roger Quinton Associates Ltd, who were tasked with writing a consultation report on the future of the site.
Express takes a look back at the reports produced over the past quarter-century...
In their 'Future of Fort Regent’ consultation, Roger Quinton Associates Ltd said Fort Regent needed to complement other facilities, which it didn’t at the time.
Tasked with reviewing the feasibility of a Jersey Sports Village at Fort Regent, they recommended the creation of panoramic, high-speed lifts at Snow Hill as access to the Fort from town was “crucial”.
Pictured: Access to the Fort from Snow Hill was mentioned in 1996.
They also recommended a “unique and marketed venue” for major indoor participant events and occasional conferences with over 1,800 delegates, as well as an “attractive visitor and information centre” showcasing the history of the Fort.
They said the village would provide a “unique destination for local people and for visitors to the island”, which certainly seems to have inspired the ‘Future Fort’ vision. During Monday’s presentation, the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said the Fort would be a “first-class leisure venue destination for islanders and tourists of all ages to enjoy."
Saville Jones Architects, who had been involved in the 1996 feasibility study, were asked to provide “updated proposals to bring the Fort to life in a new way by creating a workable, attractive sporting facility” just three years later.
In their ‘Jersey Sports Village’ report, they said the site should include “a health and fitness gym; 12-court sports hall; squash courts; climbing wall; gymnastics hall; table-tennis facilities; indoor bowls; sports science laboratories; foyer and reception; conference facilities; changing accommodation; café/restaurant and bar; administration; heritage and nature trails; a visitors’ centre and a hotel”.
They also identified access as “a major issue” and developed a scheme based around two panoramic lifts based in the centre of town that would take visitors into the leisure centre, while also allowing access to an “outdoor park”.
Pictured: A 1999 study from Saville Jones Architects suggested the creation of an "outdoor park" at the Fort... above are the latest plans.
The study also suggested the development of walkways and viewing platforms and a visitor centre, as well as presenting designs for new sporting facilities.
Fast forward a few years and Saville Jones Architects were asked to carry out another feasibility review, this time on the creation of a conference facility.
Their conclusion? “Fort Regent could be a suitable site for a conference facility. It has the infrastructure in place already i.e. car parking, roads, services, this could present a considerable cost saving compared to developing a new site.”
They suggested a mix of conference and sporting facilities with the creation of a “budget hotel” on the swimming pool site.
The following year, the Tourism Company and PMP wrote carried out another feasibility study on the same topic.
The latter described Snow Hill as a “key access point” and recommended an auditorium of up to 1,400 seats as well as gaming, casino and a hotel as “supporting developments” for the venue.
Pictured: Heritage trails have been mentioned several times over the years.
Meanwhile, the Fort Users’ Association rejected the creation of a casino, which they said would be best placed at the Waterfront. Instead, they called for amenities for families and a town park development having noted the lack of facilities for children and youngsters.
They also said the installation of high-speed lifts from Snow Hill should be seen as a “priority”.
Historic Building Consultant Antony Gibb was tasked with writing a ‘Conservation statement’ for the Fort, which was released in 2005.
He said the site deserved “the best interpretation and presentation” so that visitors could enjoy and appreciate it. He also suggested extending footpaths and linking them together to create circular routes around Fort Regent, South Hill and La Collette.
The Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel released their ‘Fort Regent Review’ in November 2009.
They noted how Public Private Partnerships had not been pursued for development purposes in spite of having been recommended several times in previous reports and feasibility studies.
Pictured: The Government is considering how "other investors" could get involved in the future of the Fort.
It seems the current Government has finally taken the idea on board, as Andy Scate, the newly appointed Director General for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment (IHE), suggested on Monday.
“You cannot do this all in one go, you have to be sensible and realistic about the investment required to take this project forward,” he said. “We do need to look at how other investors can get involved.”
The Panel also noted the “substandard” interpretation and care of the Fort’s historic fabric and failure to address Mr Gibb’s recommendations, which led to what they described as “continued absence of comprehensive historical interpretation."
They said the Ramparts were one of the most neglected areas and argued their regeneration could be “a small scale project that could make a huge impact."
Pictured: The Ramparts were described as one of the "most neglected areas" back in 2009.
The Panel also concluded that access to Fort Regent was “inadequate” and needed to be improved, calling for “particular attention” to be given to the development of a lift from Snow Hill.
The idea of a hotel, bowling, a conference centre as well as a restaurant making use of the views are all mentioned in the report, as well as a mini maze and a “proper” Ramparts walk, similar to the walk on the walls of St Malo, complete with observation stops and information about the view.
The Panel also referred to comments from members of the public who called for gardens, picnic areas, climbing walls and a casino.
One of the main recommendations from the Fort Regent Political Steering Group in November 2011 was for the historic nature of the site to be conserved and made more accessible to the general public.
“The heritage of Fort Regent is currently undervalued, and there is a real opportunity to enhance this so that more people are able to appreciate the historic importance of the site both internally and externally, and, at the same time, to enjoy the spectacular views of the Island,” they wrote.
“An interpretation centre has been suggested and this, along with guided tours, has the potential to attract many more locals and visitors to use and enjoy Fort Regent."
Pictured: An hotel at the Fort? They've been talking about it for years!
They suggested the swimming pool and Sea Cadets building could be used for a commercial development, tourist accommodation and/or catering, or a sport- related use.
They also referred to the consistent recommendations for improved access, noting there were several potential locations at the north end of Fort Regent which would allow “quick and easy access” from the town centre.
Two years later, a new report from the Fort Regent Steering Group, titled ‘Rediscovering Fort Regent’ was published.
They noted the opportunity to use Fort Regent “more widely for cultural and other community-focused activities”, adding that any changes should allow for “future flexibility”.
Pictured: A 'dome walk' or a walkway in the sky?
They suggested a ‘dome walk’, similar to the Government’s proposals of winter gardens as well as a Fort Regent ‘history trail’ and a ‘multipurpose space’ for events such as conferences, sports and concerts, alongside an altered Queens Hall that could be connected to it for larger scale events.
The Group called for “new leisure, play and entertainment activities” for youngsters, that could be flexible and change quickly and cost effectively.
They also noted the need for “enhanced community facilities”, adding that unused areas could be used as a skateboard park and called for “more ambitious improvements” to the external garden areas.
‘Pocket gardens’, climbing walls and walkways were also part of the suggestions mentioned.
The Steering Group was also of the view that Snow Hill was a good access point in town and noted the need for repairs on the roof, which the Government is now saying has reached the end of its "useful" life.
During the ‘Future Fort’ presentation, the Chief Minister, noted there had been numerous attempts of redevelopment at the Fort which were now “gathering dust on shelves”. This time, he said, things are different.
“This is not just about producing a set of plans on paper with no commitment or resources to see them through,” he said, adding that money had already been allocated in the Government Plan to fund the ‘Early Phase’.
As for the second phase, which might take up to 10 years to achieve, the funding details are yet to be worked out.
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