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Jersey Development Company has said it is working to find a “positive solution” for the newly listed La Frégate café and will announce updated plans soon.
When the States-owned company’s updated plans for the Waterfront were published in June 2021, the distinctive wooden building at West Park was absent from maps and illustrations.
An outline planning application to demolish existing buildings, including the cinema, pool and café, and replace them with “a phased construction of new development comprising up to 1,001 residential units with basement car park; retail, commercial, leisure, arts and cultural facilities” was submitted earlier this year.
JDC said that it had carried out a flood-risk impact assessment on the section of coastline around the West Park slip and café area as part of the Waterfront design process.
Following this, the developer concluded that the seawall needs to be raised by 1.2m to “future-proof” the area and avoid potential flooding, with ground levels also increased by 1.2m to maintain views over the seawall.
Pictured: La Frégate café was absent from artist's impressions of JDC's waterfront plans.
Meanwhile, the West Park slipway will be moved further to the west.
The potential demolition of the 25-year-old café prompted the principal local architect behind the project and heritage groups to lobby the Government to list the 33-metre cedar-clad eatery, which was designed by the late Will Alsop, of Alsop and Störmer.
This week, the Government announced that La Frégate had been awarded Grade 2 listed status, based on its architectural significance, following a recommendation from Jersey Heritage.
In response, JDC said: “Jersey Development Company was notified about Jersey Heritage’s intention to list La Frégate Café earlier this year. JDC has since been working to find a positive solution to protect the building while also enabling the necessary sea defence initiatives and desired public amenities planned for the La Frégate area.”
Previously, JDC Chief Executive Lee Henry said that if the café was listed, it could be moved elsewhere, although Derek Mason, who was the driving force behind the café’s design and construction, said this would not be possible.
“The listing is 50% victory - the other half is making sure it is not moved,” he said.
Meanwhile, campaign group the Twentieth Century Society, which supported the listing, said: “C20 was thrilled to learn that our application to list the café has been successful and we look forward to working with the Jersey Government and the developers to secure the future of the café within any new scheme for the waterfront.”
FOCUS: Waterfront transformation plans take shape
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