Planning committee bridges gap between girls’ schools

Thursday 19 December 2019

Students will soon be able to move from JCG primary to secondary school with the help of a pedestrian walkway bridge.

The proposals, which remove the need for students to cross Claremont Road, were approved by a Planning Committee yesterday, following support from parents, students and governors.

“We are delighted that the Planning Panel have voted in favour of our application,” Principal Carl Howarth told Express. 

Pictured: The proposed bridge as seen from Claremont Road.

“This bridge ensures our students can move safely across our campus thus extending the learning opportunities and use of our entire resources for all without the need to cross a dangerous, narrow road. 

“The bridge is also a visible demonstration of the two schools, JCG and JCP, being unified to form one 4 - 18 College.”

He added that some concerns had been raised during the hearing regarding illegal parking on the road, noting: “...It was clear that some residents remain concerned about the amount of illegal parking on Claremont Road especially during the start and end of the school day.

“We will redouble our efforts to work with the Parish of St. Saviour and our parents to ensure we remain a good and considerate neighbour.”

Pictured: The bridge proposals were approved three votes to two.

Yesterday's hearing was actually the second time the plans were approved, having originally been given the green light in September.

However, during the 28 day ‘cooling off’ period that followed the decision, a query was raised as to whether or not the site notice advertising the application had been correctly displayed for the correct 21-day period as required by law.

The application was then duly re-advertised for a further 21-day period and returned before the Committee to consider once more.

The application is part of JCG's five-year development plan which includes the development of fields 800 and 801, a state-of-the-art school music centre, a two-storey block to accommodate science laboratories, a new canteen and a main reception area.

In the Design Statement that accompanied the planning application for the pedestrian walkway bridge, it was noted that access on the road had become “increasingly high risk for students, parents and staff”, especially at peak times during drop-off and pick-up.

The proposed bridge was described as “pivotal” to the development of the two schools, while the “effective and free-flowing circulation” of students across the campus was seen to be “essential” to create a “One College’ environment”.

The bridge will not only improve access between the main Jersey College for Girls site and the grounds of Jersey College Prep School, but also to the two proposed developments in the nearby potato fields.

In addition to the bridge, the school had considered traffic calming measures, as well as blocking off a section of Claremont Road during the school day. However, those were opposed by St. Saviour’s parish and residents due to the negative impact they would have on access to and from properties.

The school therefore opted for a bridge built halfway along Claremont Road, in a location already elevated from the road.

Pictured: The bridge brings the two schools one step closer to their 'One College' vision.

This option received the support of Constable Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard and residents alike.