Victory for people power as ministers back down

Monday 12 January 2015

Plans for a controversial development at Ports Galots have been withdrawn after a public backlash forced ministers and developers to pull plans for a new maritime centre and flats.

The campaign led by local trader Vicky Boarder of the Fresh Fish Company – which saw thousands of Islanders sign a petition against the plans, and which saw the Planning department swamped with letters of objection – appears to have paid off, after Transport Minister Eddie Noel announced on Friday evening that the application to build on the site had been pulled.

A company, backed by ministers, had planned to build a new maritime hub at the site, including community facilities and flats.

Now, Deputy Noel says that they’re going back to the drawing board.

He said: “I asked the project team to review the proposals in view of the strength of public opinion, and to consider how to address the issues raised either by amending the proposal or by submitting a revised application.

“Now the application has been withdrawn we have the opportunity to rethink the plans and consider how best to meet the needs of the Sea Cadets. The States Assembly agreed in the 2011 Island Plan that Les Galots should be safeguarded for use by the Sea Cadets and other maritime users. It was acknowledged that this could only happen if the development provided sufficient planning gain to fund the community facilities.

“I remain determined to fulfil the wishes of the Assembly by finding a suitable location which can accommodate the enabling development as well as a headquarters for the Sea Cadets. The organisation does valuable work with young people in Jersey and has been waiting 20 years for a new base for its activities.”