“Various options” to bring forward improved youth facilities in St Clement are subject to further review, according to the Children’s Minister – who said the feasibility, design and consultation work required before a planning application can be submitted could take around a year to complete.

Constable Richard Vibert provided an update on the Le Squez Youth Centre project in response to a written question from St Clement Deputy Karen Wilson.

In the Government budget approved last year, £7.5 million has been set aside for a new youth centre at Le Squez to “create a new community hub and space for young people in the community to use and enjoy”.

Pictured: Millions of pounds have been allocated to the Le Squez project within the Government budget.

Constable Vibert said that officers from CYPES, the Jersey Youth Service, and Jersey Property Holdings had undertaken “feasibility work on various options”.

He added that the initial plans “would have incurred major disruption” to the operation of the current Le Squez Youth Centre.

“Officers will be undertaking a further review of the options to make sure value for money is achieved and that once any building works start, there is no disruption to the Le Squez Youth Centre,” he continued.

“Further feasibility work, building design, update of plans, public consultation and all the other work that is required before a planning application can be submitted will take approximately 12 months.

“This is now anticipated to be complete during 2026.”

Pictured: Children’s Minister Richard Vibert.

The Minister also said that conversations were taking place around the possibility of utilising existing funds from the CYPES capital budget “to begin building design work for this planning application”, in order to help progress the project “as far as possible within the current delivery timeframe”.

But he stated that he couldn’t confirm how the scheme will be funded, as the full cost of the capital project is yet to be established.

“I will continue to keep the Council of Ministers informed of the progress for Le Squez as work develops and we will keep the Le Squez Youth Centre within the capital programme,” added Constable Vibert.

“It is important that the sequencing of any development is carried out in such a way that we continue to maintain the existing youth facility in the Le Squez area while projects that serve the north of town are being developed.”