Parish considers £2.9m care home sale

Wednesday 24 July 2019

St. Helier residents are being asked to approve a £2.9million sale of the site of a nursery and former care home, which was forced to close down after fire safety issues emerged.

St. Helier House was found to be a fire risk in 2017 during a review following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June, in which more than 80 people died.

Built in 1963, the Westmount-based home was found to contain no sprinkler system or ‘dry riser’ pipes which help fire-fighters deal with a blaze in a high rise. Many of the home’s residents also had mobility impairments, presenting a difficulty in getting them out quickly should a fire occur. 

Following consideration, the parish decided it would not be feasible to refurbish the premises and continue to operate St. Helier House as a residential home.

Pictured: The care home closed down due to fire safety fears.

The last of the home's residents left in January 2018, and staff transferred to roles elsewhere in the Parish, before the Parish then asked for expressions of interest in acquiring the premises - including the nursery.

"Westmount Nursery has operated successfully from the same site for 45 years. The Parish wishes to continue to offer nursery services and is currently seeking alternative accommodation near the current site," a statement from St. Helier officials explained.

It went on to say that the Parish had now reviewed and analysed several bids, which were considered by the Constable, Procureurs and Management Team.

Among those was an offer of £2.9million, which the Parish says "offers the best value".

"The Parish will recommend that the net proceeds of the sale of the sites, after all associated costs have been accounted for, are allocated to the Building Reserve, allowing the Parish to undertake projects, including the relocation of Westmount Day Nursery," it explained.

The Parish will now be holding an Assembly on 7 August at 19:00 to discuss the proposal for the sale.