180 flip as politicians consider two skatepark planning apps

Thursday 11 February 2021

A debate over where the new skatepark should be located took a dramatic 180-degree flip yesterday after it was suggested that two planning applications should be put in, rather than States Members voting on either Les Quennevais or South Hill.

The States Assembly debate initially saw former Assistant Minister with responsibility for Sport, Senator Steve Pallett, fighting to keep the future skatepark’s location as Les Quennevais, against an amendment from Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham, who wants to see the site at South Hill Gardens.

However, the idea of definitively choosing one in the debate was taken off the rails by Senator Tracey Vallois, who asked whether the debate was the right place for a final say on the matter.

“My concern is that the planning stage… if we now decide today to throw out the Les Quennevais option and go for South Hill, whereas South Hill might be more of a planning concern than what Les Quennevais may have been, then we are going to lose out on having any skatepark whatsoever,” Senator Vallois remarked.

Pictured: A concern raised about South Hill Gardens both in public and during the debate was its geological significance.

“I do wonder whether this is an appropriate debate to have and whether we should be putting the two sites forward in order to makes sure at least we have one, and go forward with the next one, with the right fight, with planning application, in the right way, in accordance with the legislation we have in place and the orders we have to achieve a skate park for the public.”

The Chief Minister later echoed Senator Vallois’ suggestion, saying that, although he said he felt South Hill had “the edge”, that he would “be very supportive” if Senator Farnham submitted two planning applications.

“That seems to be a pragmatic way forward, and then would allow the planning process to determine the appropriate location,” he said.

Pictured: Senator Tracey Vallois suggested putting two planning applications forward and seeing what assessments come from them, instead of deciding on a preferred site beforehand.

Following this up towards the end of today’s Assembly, Senator Lyndon Farnham added that “the Economic Development Ministerial Team had agreed prior to the debate that it would be sensible to make two planning applications, and we have undertaken to do that.”

He added: “If the bringer of the proposition was prepared to accept that, the timeline is planning application by the end of February – we undertake to submit two planning applications, then I think we can save ourselves quite a bit of time.”

Wanting assurance that the satellite skateparks and other features of his original proposition would remain, Senator Pallett said that he would speak with Senator Farnham overnight about it. 

The proposition to secure Les Quennevais as the site for the island’s main skatepark was first brought to the States Assembly by Senator Pallett last month, after officers had suddenly informed the former Assistant Minister after months of work and consultation on Les Quennevais, that they were considering an alternative location at South Hill Gardens.

Pictured: Former Assistant Minister with responsibility for Sport, Senator Steve Pallett, and Senator Lyndon Farnham were due to discuss the matter overnight.

In the yesterday's debate, Senator Pallett described this experience as having “all the feel of the tail wagging the dog” and that “it’s the job of officers to implement policy and decisions, and not to take it upon themselves to carry out reviews behind the relevant Minister’s back.”

However, Senator Farnham lodged an amendment for the park to go at South Hill, with his Assistant Minister, Deputy Hugh Raymond, arguing yesterday that the accessibility of the St. Helier location was a key reason why it would be a more suitable site.

Since the announcement that South Hill Gardens was being considered, a number of public questions have arisen about the validity of the site.

Questions have been raised about its historical and geological significance, as well as fears that its location in the Outer Hazard Zone of La Collette could be a risk - despite this, Senator Farnham claims assessments already taken show it is not a significant hazard.

Pictured: Senator Steve Pallett asked why initial reviews into changing site plans from Les Quennevais to South Hill Gardens were carried out behind a Minister's back.

This morning, the amendment was withdrawn, and Senator Pallett has proposed withdrawing his initial proposition with the intention of submitting both planning applications - however, the debate on whether Senator Pallett's proposition should be withdrawn is still ongoing.