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It's the island's largest ever (and, don't forget, most expensive) capital project, so islanders across social media unsurprisingly had a lot to say about it...
Naturally, Chief Minister John Le Fondre, and the man with political responsibility for the project, Senator Lyndon Farnham, were delighted with the news and took to Twitter to share their joy and relief.
I am delighted that the Hospital has been granted planning permission. This is an unequivocal
— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) May 17, 2022
recommendation from an independent inspector. Now lets all get behind this and move the Island forward. Congratulations to the whole team. @OurHospitalJsy @lyndonfarnham https://t.co/j9euBIIwVP pic.twitter.com/YUCGuNYho6
St. Brelade Constable Mike Jackson was also a happy chap:
I’m pleased that the Minister has made a decision that will enable the project to proceed. The conditioning of the approval by reinforcing landscaping requirements to mitigate the visual effect of such an enormous structure is welcomed. #OurHospital #jerseyci MJ. https://t.co/5HQXsbdsDB
— Connétable Mike Jackson #VoteJackson (@mikejackson1952) May 17, 2022
Some Islanders echoed this positive sentiment, relieved to no longer have to worry about the decision:
I cannot say I’m not absolutely delighted, it’s been worrying me a lot.
— Binky (@TheOnlyGuru) May 17, 2022
Now let’s press on. #OurHospital #jerseyci https://t.co/0qImUj0kvn
Whether they agreed or disagreed with the approval, many commenters were unified behind the plan to "press on" and "just get on with it":
Some took a more measured and methodical approach to the announcement, such as Deputy Kirsten Morel...
So the hospital has received planning permission. Now, I need to read the report to understand why.
— Kirsten Morel (@KirstenJersey) May 17, 2022
Primary school learning support assistant, Toby Forrest, expressed his concerns over the timing of the decision on Twitter: "Whilst I agree we do need to get on and build the new hospital, I have reservations over decisions made by a potentially outgoing government minister in an election period."
Of course, the GIFs were out in full force from many others...
£800m https://t.co/7SFUIWT77W pic.twitter.com/j782UTr7IC
— Ollie Taylor (@mailolstar) May 17, 2022
https://t.co/9LyZtcKKRC pic.twitter.com/vzCZpdKJzZ
— ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@rsrd_jsy) May 17, 2022
Hospital cardiologist, Dr Andrew Mitchell, expressed his support tweeting: "This is great news for #JerseyCI and the health of islanders."
However, some individuals responding to his tweet clearly did not feel the same way...
It’s not and has only delayed matters further Yes we need a new hospital but not costing a billion and stuck on the top of a hill pic.twitter.com/aOxf1psSwB
— King of Darkness (@DarkJersey) May 17, 2022
...and commenters on Facebook also voiced concerns over the cost:
Senator Kristina Moore said she was pleased no contracts would be signed yet, given that she felt that there is a "more realistic alternative"...
New CEO says that contracts will not be signed until a new Gov is formed. That is the right approach. In these challenging times we should not be signing our future up to excessive debt when there is a more realistic alternative
— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) May 17, 2022
For many, it is simply a waiting game to see what the real outcomes of this decision will be...
£800m hospital at Overdale is approved
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