Plans for new primary school on former Jersey Gas site moving forward

Plans to create a new town primary school on the former Jersey Gas site are moving ahead, with the government planning to fast-track the land purchase from Andium.

The government plans to close St Luke’s and Springfield schools and replace them with a new two-form entry school at the site adjacent to the Millenium Town Park, with the Springfield School site freed up for a potential park.

Published this week, the government’s Budget revealed that the Infrastructure Minister has agreed to buy the Gas Place site from Andium Homes “for the development of a new town-based school”.

If the Budget is approved by the States Assembly later this year, the site on Tunnell Street will be purchased for a “nominal amount” of £1 to “ensure that the purchase can proceed without delay”.

The government will then reduce the annual payments the social housing provider normally returns to the States by £1.5 million over 10 years to ensure Andium is compensated for the value of property.

But if other funds become available, the government could pay off the sale amount sooner and return Andium’s payments back to normal.

More than £12 million was set aside for the new two-form entry school at Gas Place in the 2025-2029 Budget.

But a proposition lodged by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft earlier this year called on the government to assess the need for a new town school in light of Jersey’s changing demographics, including its falling birth rate.

He questioned whether current primary schools can meet demand for new school places.

Constable Crowcroft also wanted an assessment of the “likely impact” of doubling the size of the Millenium Town Park, a proposal he has previously brought to the States Assembly.

But the Education Minister said that the “much-needed” school would replace “ageing” buildings with “modern fit-for-purpose facilities”.

Deputy Rob Ward stressed that it was “absolutely clear” that the level of need in schools was increasing and that the new site would offer a “purpose-built” place for children, including those “with the greatest need who are currently in La Passerelle primary school”.