Will it be plain sailing for Port Galots?

Friday 28 November 2014

Work could start next year to create a new maritime hub on the outskirts of town.

A project team who have been working as a public private partnership have submitted the plans for Port Galots - a maritime centre that aims to make the most of the public land between South Pier and Victoria Pier.

If approved the new hub will be a place to live and work and will be used by five or six community ventures as well as commercial businesses including the sea cadets who have been looking for a new home for many years.

The Jersey Maritime Trust’s Chief Executive Andy Le Seelleur said: “Port Galots will be Jersey’s first purpose-built maritime hub, where residents and visitors can come to learn about, and enjoy, the opportunities our maritime industry offers.

“From cadetships and apprenticeships to interpretation, commercial and leisure activities, it will be a thriving environment. The Jersey Maritime Trust has responsibility for ensuring this vision is achieved and we will work closely with all stakeholders to build a community that benefits all.”

A few months ago Jersey Rowing Club tried to stick its oar in and stop the plans going ahead because its been using part of the site at the old lifeboat station on the southeast corner of St Helier harbour to store its boats.

Their landlord Ports of Jersey has now committed to supplying the club with a boat parking area that will be subject to a separate planning application.

Group Commercial Director for the Ports of Jersey Myra Shacklady said: "Together with Jersey Property Holdings, we are fully supportive of this maritime development, which will not only enhance part of this St Helier coastline area but also benefit many people. As the landlord, Ports of Jersey remains fully committed to our tenants, including those interested clubs and associations, to ensure their needs are addressed as the project moves forward.”

Transport Minister Deputy Eddie Noel said: “The States of Jersey agreed, through the Island Plan, that this site should be ring-fenced for the building of a new headquarters for the Jersey Sea Cadets and other maritime users. It was acknowledged that this could only happen if there was sufficient planning gain from any development to fund it.

“This scheme is appropriate and meets the design brief. The project team has worked hard to achieve the necessary balance of community and commercial activity and we are very pleased that plans have finally been submitted.”

The designs will soon be going on show so that Islanders can find out more and see what opportunities the new hub will create.