Property investment and development company Le Masurier has taken the decision to appeal at The Royal Court regarding the rejection of their Broad Street regeneration project, Les Sablons, by the Assistant Minister for the Environment and Energy.
The Government-appointed Independent Inspector recommended the scheme for approval, however, this was over-ruled by the Assistant Minister and the case refused.
Le Masurier has decided to take this to the Royal Court and look forward to presenting their case.
Brian McCarthy, Managing Director of Le Masurier said: “As a result of the overwhelming support from industry, professional bodies, local businesses and the public, Le Masurier has decided to put forward an appeal to The Royal Court against the Assistant Minister’s decision to reject our Les Sablons development. The Government-appointed Independent Inspector overwhelmingly recommended the scheme for approval at appeal, consistently agreeing with the significant merits of the proposals, but the Assistant Minister went against his decision. We believe that this scheme is worth fighting for, as it would deliver the opportunity for the substantial regeneration of over 21⁄2 acres of the centre of town at our site on Broad Street and Commercial Street.
“Taking an appeal to The Royal Court is the only option available to us, and one that we had initially decided not to pursue. However, the level of support and encouragement we have received, and following consultation with our lawyers, we believe we have a strong case, which if successful, would result in this decision being re-considered.
“If approved in line with the Independent Inspector’s recommendation, Le Masurier’s £120 million investment would contribute to the island’s chronic housing shortfall, including assisted purchase housing, on a town centre brownfield site, thereby protecting our precious countryside. It would deliver 150 full-time jobs, boost tourism with a brand-new aparthotel through Staycity, with whom we have agreed terms subject to planning consent, and create a publicly accessible courtyard garden linking King Street to the bus station via a safe pedestrian route. All of this would be at no cost to the taxpayer.”
