Offshore finance: Castle restoration finally gets funding

Tuesday 28 September 2021

A Victorian military hospital which has stood derelict and disused on Elizabeth Castle since the Second World War is to be finally restored after the Government committed to fulfil a 41-year promise to fund its repair.

Jersey Heritage has said it was “extremely grateful” to the Government for including £4.95m of funding to complete significant restorations at the castle in its latest Government Plan, which covers 2022-25.

Chair Tim Brown said that the funding – on top of a £750,000 grant allocated in the last Government Plan following a successful amendment by Deputy Montfort Tadier – would allow the organisation to start tendering for contractors.

All things well, he said, work would start at beginning of next summer and be completed for the start of the 2025 season.

The first phase of the project is the restoration and development of the Hospital Block and the Officers’ Quarters. Both have been given the green light by Planning.

The projects will provide greater public access to the Castle and will allow the buildings to be used during the winter months.

Pictured: The hospital block is one of several buildings in need of renovation.

The Victorian Military Hospital dates from the early 19th century and will be opened to the public, using digital interpretation and ‘living history’ to share its stories.

Individuals and organisations will also be able to hire the hospital as a venue for meetings and events. 

Built in 1735, the Officers’ Quarters has been used as exhibition space since the 1980s and will go back to its original use as accommodation.

The building will be restored and then developed into self-catering accommodation, adding to Jersey Heritage’s successful ‘Heritage Lets’ portfolio.

Linked to the Military Hospital is a large nineteenth century coal store, which will be refurbished to create a large multi-purpose function and meeting room, serviced with toilets and a kitchen.

Although Mr Brown said that Jersey Heritage was extremely grateful to the Chief Minister and his council for the funding commitment, he hoped that the Government would also be able to provide more certainty with the grant it gives to support Heritage with its ongoing running costs.

At the moment, he said, it is allocated on an annual basis but the process would be more beneficial to both sides with greater dialogue beforehand.

Last year, the organisation received a £1.1m 'top-up' grant to help them continue throughout the pandemic.

Money to pay for the restoration of the castle was originally included in the 2020-23 Government Plan but the budget was pulled in the last Government Plan because of Covid. This was done without the knowledge of the politician with responsibility for heritage at the time. 

This year’s £750,000 grant has been used to carry out essential repairs before the main restoration work gets underway. 

If the Government Plan is approved by Members, Jersey Heritage will receive £1.25m next year, £2.027m in 2023 and £1.676m in 2024 for the castle project.