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A new passenger lift and bridge connecting Snow Hill car park to Fort Regent could be constructed, and a leafy roof added to the nearby toilets, if Planning gives the project the green light.
The proposals, which include further improvements to the Hill Street and Snow Hill area, were drawn up by the States of Jersey Development Company on the request of Government and have now been submitted as a planning application.
If approved, the lift will be constructed next to the Stormwater Cavern’s entrance.
Other elements of the plans, which were overseen by landscape specialists Gillespies, include:
The taxi rank pick-up and drop-off point would be retained under the plans, while the motorcycle parking in the area would be moved to an undercover zone in Green Street car park.
Pictured: The lift will allow islanders to travel directly to Fort Regent from Snow Hill.
Constable Simon Crowcroft has already thrown his weight behind the proposals.
“This offers an exciting opportunity for town residents and workers to easily access Fort Regent. The Fort is a valuable asset for St. Helier and enhancements to the external landscaping will coincide with the delivery of the lift,” he said.
The site was previously home to a cable car station was installed to transport visitors to the Fort. The cable cars were extremely popular and continued to operate from the 1970s until the late 1980s.
Pictured: The cable car service stopped in the late 1980s.
Discussions over access in the years that followed have since proven a key barrier to redeveloping the Fort.
Once the cable cars were scrapped, many complained of difficulties in accessing the leisure centre, with pedestrians having to either enter via a lift from Pier Road car park or walk up Mount Bingham.
In 2019, Socrates Architects floated similar proposals to create a lift on Hill Street and revamp the area joining La Motte Street and town.
Pictured: Socrates Architects' proposals.
The States of Jersey Development Company said it did consider an entrance on Hill Street, but decided against due to the number of Listed buildings in the area and potential difficulties in stabilising the rockface in that area.
If the lift gets the go-ahead, it will be another step in the current Government's plan to regenerate the Fort.
Last month, work began on creating a 'walkway in the sky' around the Fort - accessible landscaped gardens around the Fort where islanders will be able to enjoy panoramic views of St. Helier.
Video: The Chief Minister and Infrastructure Minister pitching in to clear dead wood and make way for the 'walkway in the sky' last month.
Yet to be decided is what internal changes will take place under the 'Future Fort' plan, and the fate of the iconic dome roof.
A survey of islanders conducted last year suggested that an events/conference space capable of hosting between 500 and 2,500 people would be the most popular option. The concept of a 'leisure box', cinema and bowling alley was the next most popular idea.
Lowest in the rankings were plans for a casino and hotel.
What is known is that sport will be moved out of the Fort, in favour of upgrading and developing new facilities elsewhere. Last week, a £3m plan to update Oakfield sports centre was approved by the Planning Committee.
Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré chairs the Regeneration Steering Group - a panel of politicians and senior civil servants tasked with oversight of and considering improvements to public buildings and the public realm - which asked the States of Jersey Development Company to bring forward the Fort Regent access plan.
“I am very pleased that a solution has been found to create pedestrian access from Snow Hill to Fort Regent," Senator Le Fondré said.
"This application is a major first step towards the Government’s commitment to regenerate Fort Regent and I am looking forward to the wider regeneration plans being developed later this year, following the appointment of the Master-planning design team.”
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