Plans have been submitted to address “identified fire safety risks” in the Jersey Music Service building at Highlands College, prompting a programme of internal upgrades to improve protection for staff and students.
The application, lodged by Jersey Property Holdings, stated that the works are needed “to address identified fire safety risks and to ensure continued compliance with relevant legislation”.
The proposals focus on the historic Grade 2-listed education building at Highlands College in St Saviour, which houses the Jersey Music Service.
The scheme includes “internal fire-mitigation works, including upgrading existing doors to certified fire doors, improving fire compartmentation, and improving the means of fire escape”.
Supporting documents reveal that the works follow detailed fire risk assessments of education buildings carried out under a wider Government safety programme.
While earlier phases tackled the most urgent issues, further reviews identified the need to strengthen fire protection within the building fabric itself.
A covering letter submitted with the application explains that a fire strategy has been developed to demonstrate compliance with safety standards, including “means of warning and escape, fire spread, and access for the Fire and Rescue Service”.
The planned improvements include creating fire-resistant compartments and “sterile corridors” to protect escape routes, as well as installing new fire-rated doors throughout the Jersey Music Service areas.
However, the works must be carefully balanced against the building’s heritage status. The Education Department building forms part of a 19th-century complex of significant architectural and historical interest, and is officially listed.
Design documents state that upgrades will be carried out sympathetically, ensuring new features replicate existing architectural details where possible. This includes matching traditional door designs and architraves to preserve the character of the listed structure.
The application argues the scheme will provide “a robust and manageable long-term fire safety solution” while allowing the buildings to “be safely occupied and maintained”.
If approved, the works would form part of an ongoing programme to modernise safety standards across Jersey’s education estate while retaining the island’s historic buildings.