The fate of a £29m investment to bring a former hotel in Millbrook back to life will be decided by a group of politicians this week.
On Thursday, the Planning Committee will vote on whether to approve or reject an application by gallery-owner Lance Trevellyan to turn the former Millbrook House Hotel into a five-star art-themed venue.
It will consider two related applications to refurbish and extend the existing hotel, which sits at the southern end of Waterworks Valley, as well as demolish the existing staff accommodation, and construct a new spa and wellness centre, art and yoga studio and waterside cabins.
The applications have been recommended for approval by the Planning Department.
In 2021, Mr Trevellyan, who owns CCA Galleries as well as Jersey War Tunnels, proposed a major transformation of the former Millbrook House Hotel into a five-star art-themed establishment, spa and cookery school.
Despite getting permission that year, Mr Trevellyan was forced to put his plans on hold, after post-Covid delays and increases in local construction costs rendered the previous scheme financially unviable.
But instead of abandoning efforts to introduce “a new £29 million, five-star hotel” to the island, a revised planning application was submitted in May this year.
The new application, made by Mr Trevellyan’s CCA Galleries, includes removing and replacing an outdated 1970s tourism accommodation extension and building waterside cabins, a converted stable wing, and suites within the refurbished original villa and its gatehouse.
The replacement for the outdated 1970s block will present guests with a choice of serviced accommodation, one- or two-bedroom guest units with modest catering facilities, and a range of individual suites.
All guests would have access to the hotel’s restaurant, private dining and café offerings as well as cultural, wedding and wellness facilities. Self-catering units will also be available.
As well as Millbrook House Hotel, the Planning Committee will also consider on Thursday an application from Strive to build a 179-bedroom hotel next to the health centre in St Peter.
However, the Planning Department is recommending that the Strive application is rejected by the Planning Committee.