A public consultation showcasing transformative proposals for South Hill in Jersey’s St Helier has been launched today. The plans include a sustainable residential scheme and the significant enhancement of South Hill’s surrounding green areas.
Jersey Development Company (JDC) and architect firm FCBStudios are working to develop a sustainable new residential scheme on the former Planning Offices site at South Hill. The scheme will create an environmentally focussed residential development designed to achieve the highest environmental standards with an aspiration to enhance the surrounding public realm and improving pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the area.
JDC say that the proposals for the building would deliver an ‘organic piece of architecture’ for the South Hill area, one that is sympathetically designed to embrace and emulate the local landscape, protect its natural setting, maximising the natural landform, greenery and views from the site. Plans also include a new landscaped courtyard, retention of an existing Listed building and a new public café to service the re-designed park.
The residential development comprises approximately 150 low-energy 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. JDC are continuing their assistance to local first-time owner/occupier buyers by allowing the 10% deposit to be paid in equal instalments over the construction period. The scheme worked successfully on both College Gardens and the Horizon development and to date 116 First-Time Buyers have taken advantage of this scheme.
The proposals include:
- Developing approximately 150 units at the former Planning Offices site at South Hill, incorporating two and three bed family units.
- The apartment layouts to include areas for home working.
- A new landscape courtyard in keeping with the local context.
- Retention and repurpose of the Listed building.
- A new public café, which will provide a welcoming focal point for residents and visitors to the area.
- Developing a new destination that positively contributes to improving the vibrancy of this part of St Helier.
- A design that embraces and emulates the local landscape, protecting its natural setting, maximising the natural landform, greenery and views from and to the site.
- Working in partnership with the Parish of St Helier to redesign and refurbish the adjacent children’s public park and strengthening the areas connectivity and biodiversity.
Andy Theobald, Partner, FCBStudios said: “South Hill is an unrivalled location, and as such, requires a very specific design response. We propose a carefully integrated series of landscape inspired buildings that maintain the openness of the site and provides exceptional views for the residents. The buildings evoke the character of Mount Bingham’s granite rock face through their gravity, tonality and texture which is further enhanced by the extensively planted balconies. The existing listed building is retained within an exciting new courtyard space and is linked with the adjacent play park.
“The project has the highest environmental agenda. Our proposals are being designed to Passivhaus principles and targets low carbon in use which will be an exemplar for Jersey.”
JDC have appointed landscape specialists Gillespies to help maximise the potential of the site’s private and public realm. Although South Hill offers panoramic views and a prominent walking path, access to the site is challenging to navigate and Gillespies plan to greatly improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity providing a welcoming focal point for residents and visitors to the area.
Working in partnership with the Parish of St Helier, JDC’s proposals for the site include the re-design and refurbishment of the adjacent children’s play park (owned by the Parish) and strengthen the areas connectivity and biodiversity.
To encourage engagement from younger members of the community, a competition is being launched to help design the park. Children under 12 will be invited to promote their ideas and aspirations of what their dream park would look like. The winners will receive prizes and National Book Vouchers for their school.
JDC Managing Director Lee Henry told Channel Eye: “We’re delighted to be working with the principal architect FCBStudios and landscape architect Gillespies on this prestigious project. The South Hill site offers an amazing opportunity for a new residential development that maximises the views across the harbour and Elizabeth Castle to Noirmont. Our ambition is for the development to be an environmental exemplar and these buildings will set a new standard in low energy homes locally and will support the Government of Jersey’s target for carbon neutrality by 2030”.
JDC are expecting to submit a planning application later in the year.
The South Hill consultation has now been launched. Proposals can be viewed in more detail with an opportunity to contribute and offer feedback here. The consultation will close on 14 May.
