The Southwest St Helier planning framework was adopted by the Environment Minister in December 2019 as a Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) following extensive public consultation. The Framework replaces the Esplanade Quarter Masterplan and also provides guidance on adjacent land and properties.

The adoption of the Guidance has enabled the Jersey Development Company (JDC) to develop a Visionary Framework to transform the Southwest St Helier Waterfront.

Within the Visionary Framework the concept proposes to provide; new homes, community and leisure facilities, extensive landscaping and public open spaces. JDC’s objective is to create an attractive, sustainable and enjoyable place to live, work and play.

Site Analysis

Since being appointed the team has undertaken detailed site analysis and a number of critical feasibility studies including transport and economics.

Technical Workshops

In excess of 20 statutory and regulatory workshops and meetings have been undertaken by JDC and the design team with relevant Government of Jersey departments, the Parish of St Helier, Utilities, the Jersey Architectural Commission, Jersey Arts and Jersey Sport.

Engagement with Young People

More recently we have undertaken engagement with young people by working with education establishments. The comments received from 16 – 18-year-olds have helped enrich the more detailed public realm concepts shown and we are continuing the discussions with young people.

We would like to thank everyone who commented during Stage 1.

The team have used the site analysis, consultation results and findings from the feasibility studies to prepare the concept now shown for Southwest St Helier.

Consultation Process

A consultation website was launched in Autumn 2020 and to date has had more than 3,000 visits with almost 13,000 page views.

A summary of the key topics raised by the community during the first stage of consultation are listed below:

• The pride and interest of the local community and key stakeholders in the future of this part of St Helier, and the desire to be meaningfully and regularly engaged in the vision and planning process.

• The need for improved connectivity and movement.

• Island-wide traffic issues and the negative impact on St Helier in terms of pedestrian and cycle connectivity, noise and air pollution.

• The importance of high quality open and green spaces.

• The need for community facilities, shops, cafés and restaurants which remain lively during the evenings and at weekends all year round.

• The need for views to be protected or enhanced.

• The need for high quality architecture which considers the local character.

The consultation results can be read in full here.

The principal aim of the landscape framework is to create a range of external spaces that invites users to dwell along the waterfront while complementing the use of the proposed buildings.

The proposal improves connections to the wider area by providing engaging, legible and freely accessible public spaces.

1. Cafe and kiosk ticket area
2. Indicative new slipway
3. Garden seating nestled within planting
4. Lookout and interpretation of German Bunker
5. 1 in 21 access path
6. Bus stop
7. Mounding and amphitheatre seating
8. Playground
9. Flexible lawn space
10. Garden seating within planting

Traffic Study: La Route de la Libération

La Route de la Libération, known as Key Opportunity Site 7, is an integral part of the plan given the importance of improving connectivity as set out in the SPG. It serves the main east/ west route across the Island together with the Port and Town Centre.

A comprehensive traffic study has been undertaken
to review the layout of La Route de la Libération and the underpass to assess if there are ways to address the severance the road currently creates.

The study confirms that without a shift towards sustainable transport modes and significant reduction in the Island’s traffic volumes (>30%), the current provision of six lanes and underpass would need to be retained. In addition, the Island’s economic performance is reliant on a safe and efficient transport network through this area, particularly from the Port.

How can we improve La Route de la Libération?

The current concept includes interventions to address the severance and is in line with SPG guidelines, by:

• Providing a new single phase pedestrian and cycle crossing between the Gloucester Street and Castle Street junctions;

• Significantly improving pedestrian and cycle crossings at the Gloucester Street and Castle Street junctions

• Supporting the network of new crossings with improved walking and cycle routes - fully segregated where possible;

• Incorporating bus lanes/bus gates to further promote sustainable travel;

• Greening and softening of the infrastructure with the inclusion of tree lined streets, verges and central median;

• Reducing speeds through the pedestrian zones and

• Designing the infrastructure on a human scale.

The proposals will be designed to ensure that they do not prejudice the long-term possibility of improving La Route de la Libération, or potentially downgrading it to four lanes, should there be fundamental change in travel habits.

It is however felt the cost and disruption of implementing a major intervention to downgrade La Route de la Libération would be detrimental to the Island economically and is therefore not supported by the Government of Jersey and confirms the view of the public expressed during design charettes on the planning framework during 2019.

A summary of the transport study can be downloaded here.

The decisions we take now need to ensure we can facilitate future change in social, economic and environmental demands.

Economic Study: Market Demand Analysis

The team looked at the island’s population growth, child yields and wider demographic trends, including tourism and commercial related trends, and projections and the evolving nature of the St Helier economic base to set out a market demand analysis for the development area.

This has guided us on the volume and type of non- residential uses (ground floor commercial and community uses) needed to make the area a success without impacting on the Town Centre’s viability.

The team has been mindful of the need to balance the uses, so they complement and reinforce other town centre functions, rather than detracting from it.

A summary of the Market Demand Analysis can be downloaded here.

Providing New Housing

The draft Bridging Island Plan identifies the need
for 4,000 new homes to the end of 2025. The 2019 Objective Assessment of Housing Needs calculated that based on an annual increase of 1,000 in population, 7,000 new homes would be needed by the end of 2030.

The Waterfront has a key role to play in delivering
new homes in an urban setting, in close proximity to amenities and places of work thereby reducing pressure on green-field development and reducing additional vehicle congestion during the am/pm peak hours.

The number of new homes and building heights

To meet housing need we are proposing 1,100 new homes. All homes will have private amenity space such as a balcony or terrace area.

The built form proposed varies in height and the concept sketches give an indication of the approach. This includes between 6 to 8 storeys along La Route de la Libération with higher massing allocated to the corners of blocks - up to 11* floors to bookend and create accent features in architecture. Along Rue de L’Etau the massing height reduces to 5 to 8 floors. Two new office developments proposed on KOS 1 follow the principle set by the IFC buildings and are proposed at no more than 6 floors.

In accordance with the policies outlined in the SPG document, a town gateway residential building is proposed of up to 16* storeys that will sit adjacent to the office developments.

The approach to height maximises the level of green space and access to sunlight, particularly in relation to the new landscaped areas and courtyards. Detailed solar analysis has been undertaken to inform the approach, increasing height at points where sunlight will not be affected.

* It is important to note that these heights are just proposals at this stage subject to consultation.