The government’s development arm has provided a more in-depth picture of what is set to take place at Fort Regent over the next two years, as part of multi-million pound plans to regenerate the site.
Jersey Development Company CEO Lee Henry yesterday outlined how the first round of funds to begin regeneration works will be spent on the Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed facility.
Alongside Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan, Mr Henry explained that initial funds will be spent on addressing the iconic roof, and re-installing core infrastructure across the site such as drainage and substations.
December 2025
As part of the first phase of works, a survey is set to take place from 1 December to assess the presence of asbestos.
£43 million has been set aside in the proposed 2026 Government Budget, which is due to be debated in the States Assembly on Tuesday 9 December.
If funding is approved, a formal planning application for the strip-out and replacement of the iconic white roof is will be submitted just before Christmas.
March 2026
Subject to the approval of the proposed Budget in December, a roof building control application will be submitted on 1 March 2026.
That will be followed by the submission of a site-wide planning application on 31 March 2026.
April 2026
The soft-strip and associated removal of asbestos from the site is expected to start on 1 April 2026.
JDC aims to receive approval for planning application for the roof on the same date.
May 2026
JDC said it hopes to appoint a main contractor to complete the roof, internal strip-out and core infrastructure works on 1 May 2026.
June 2026
If the roof application is approved by Planning, work is expected to commence on 1 June 2026.
September 2026
The Council of Ministers will be asked to approve funding for Phase 2 of the works on 1 September.
October 2026
JDC hopes to secure approval for its site-wide planning application on 1 October 2026.
December 2026
The States Assembly will debate the Phase 2 funding allocation in the 2027 Budget on 8 December 2026.
Stating that JDC remains “committed” to completing the project over the next three years, Mr Henry said the plan remains to open the regenerated Fort Regent on 31 December 2028.
Providing more detailed designs, Mr Henry also explained that the main change to the “high level” plans was the switching of the position of the planned two-thousand-seater concert hall and a six-screen cinema complex.
In the updated concept, the concert hall and sports arena space will sit in the domed Queen’s Hall and the cinema will instead be situated in Gloucester Hall.
So far this year, major change at the Fort has already taken place in preparation of the capital project, including the decanting of all Fort users to other sites around the Island.
Oakfield sports centre, which opened last month, is now home to several sports clubs and the JDC opened Tinto’s indoor play area on the Waterfront to replace the children’s amenity at the Fort.
Money required so far has been funded through surplus of the JDC’s College Gardens Fund.
In his opening speech Constable Jehan told the room: “We’re really pleased with the progress that’s taken place in just over six months, including the community engagement and level of feedback.”
“Plans [for the Fort] are advancing and we’ve got some detailed engagement going on with potential key anchor operators,” he continued.
“Redeveloping Fort Regent has been talked about for many years and we as a government have said we’re doing it.”