The site of the former La Folie Inn currently appears destined to house a hotel – but some islanders have proposed the implementation of a “community-led development” with a focus on local commerce, art, food and events instead.
Ports of Jersey last year announced plans to bring La Folie and South Pier House back into public use, involving the development of a 160-room hotel.
Potential partners to deliver the “hospitality-focused redevelopment” were invited to formally express their interest in the project.
The process for submissions remained open until 22 January, with Ports now reviewing the responses with a view to progressing “the competitive process to select a development partner”.
But one group is pushing for an “alternative” approach to the site’s regeneration.
Co-founded by local architect Josh Noad and community project specialist Xanthe Hamilton, the Jersey Community Land Trust has sought the views of islanders through collaborative workshop sessions – and put forward a formal expression of interest to Ports.
Ms Hamilton said: “We’re trying to offer a Plan B, because our plan doesn’t obviously hit the criteria of a hotel, which is what the tender is.”
She stressed that the Jersey Community Land Trust was “not oppositional” and was seeking to work with Ports “as an alternative”.
What is a community land trust?
Mr Noad explained: “It’s a not-for-profit organisation, but also the transfer of ownership doesn’t go into private hands.
“So you’re not looking to a private shareholder to suddenly start to develop one of our public sites and take a profit from that.”
He continued: “From a community land trust point of view, the design or the programme or the whole purpose of a site is collectively reviewed, designed and incepted together.
“So right from the start everybody’s on board, because it’s a democratic way of developing a site.”
You mobilise a lot of passion when you’re trying to deliver community infrastructure
Xanthe Hamilton
Ms Hamilton said: “When you work as a community group, you work the same principles as a developer, but you don’t have the developer margins.
“So you can either reinvest that margin to make the facilities better or achieve other objectives, or you can make things more affordable.”
She added: “You mobilise a lot of passion when you’re trying to deliver community infrastructure, because you can really design a project that looks at the needs of the community.”
A document prepared on behalf of the Jersey Community Land Trust by Assemble – a group of architects and community developers – outlines the ‘Plan B’ vision for the site.
It includes plans to revive the La Folie building as a local pub with “small-scale accommodation”, as well as the creation of a new courtyard and “flexible workspace” intended to support “a variety of local makers and businesses”.
The proposal would also include a community hall area for hosting events, meetings and exhibitions, among other activities, as well as an al-fresco waterside public square and working space.
La Folie will be alive with activity with a focus on making, community, food and commerce
Jersey Community Land Trust
It also highlights opportunities to provide “a popular food and drink offer” to attract both islanders and visitors, in addition to the potential for microbreweries or a canteen for the site’s businesses and occupants.
“This community-led development will become a destination for islanders and visitors alike,” the document states.
“From cultural events and performances to a marketplace of local makers and entrepreneurs, La Folie will be alive with activity with a focus on making, community, food and commerce,” it continues.
“It will be a place to socialise, enjoy the arts, and celebrate Jersey’s heritage, all while looking towards the future.”