Le Squez regeneration nearing completion

Tuesday 28 July 2015

The final stage of the Le Squez regeneration programme has been approved by the Planning Applications Committee and will see the demolition of the remaining original homes on the social housing estate.

Andium Homes, (formerly the States of Jersey Housing Department) began refurbishing the 1960s housing estate in St Clement, in 2005. This is the fourth and final phase of the plan which will have cost around £40million in total.

154 new homes will be built, consisting of one, two and three bedroom affordable homes. The design of the estate will provide for largely car parking free streets with pedestrians and cyclists taking priority. The site also includes Samares School and other community facilities.

David Morris, Head of Capital Projects said, "We are delighted that plans have been approved and we can now commence work on this final stage. The residents of Le Squez have been very patient in waiting for these new homes and the recent approval will allow us to deliver these in line with our Capital Programme. This approval will significantly contribute to the Island Plan's commitment to deliver 1,000 affordable homes by 2020."

The refurbishment scheme was proposed after it was recognised that the physical condition of the properties meant they had reached the end of their lifespan. The design of the estate was also criticised at the time as being 'road dominated' with poor public amenity space and it was hoped a redesign would help improve the sense of community. The aim was to re-house existing tenants who want to return to the estate and to provide affordable housing and updated rental accommodation.

This final phase will deliver the affordable homes in a housing market which has returned to its pre-recession levels with an average three bedroom property in Jersey costing £524,000, well out of range of affordability for the average working household in the island.

Phase three of the Le Squez redevelopment has been completed, with 21 new homes being built on the site. Overall the scheme is slightly behind schedule as it had been hoped it would be completed by 2014 at the latest.