A redundant site at Five Oaks in Jersey could be transformed into a multi-purpose consumer and business park if proposals are approved to create a new retail food store, self-storage facility and light industrial units.
The former Jersey Evening Post site has been purchased by Le Gallais, whose vision for the Five Oaks Trade Park is to breathe new life into the area. The proposals, which have been submitted to Planning, would see the regeneration of this existing commercial site with modern high-quality buildings and the creation of new jobs.
The Channel Islands Co-Operative Society will open a Co-Op Locale store closest to the main road, providing additional choice for shoppers, while Le Gallais will create a new self-storage building to meet demand and overspill from its existing town facility, with four light industrial units and offices towards the rear of the site.
Architects Axis Mason have drawn on inspiration from outstanding examples of similar developments across Europe, to create a modern, ecologically and environmentally beneficial design. Much of the existing landscaping will be retained or enhanced to provide screening as well as encouraging wildlife habitats to complement the surrounding rural area.
A great deal of attention has been paid to creating a development that is environmentally state of the art, from the construction materials to electric vehicle charging points, and one of the largest solar power installations in the Channel Islands which, once operational, will be capable of generating enough electricity to power in excess of fifteen homes.
It’s expected that a minimum of thirty new jobs will be created by the development, but without increasing the amount of vehicular traffic passing through the Five Oaks area. Improved and safer pedestrian access is also part of the scheme.
Le Gallais is one of Jersey’s oldest firms, tracing its roots back to 1825 and is still a family-run business. The £12m investment in the brownfield site at Five Oaks reflects the family’s long-term confidence in Jersey and its commitment to creating economic and environmental benefits for the Island.
Managing Director Tim Le Gallais said, “This is a significant development for our business and one we believe will bring rewards for the local community at Five Oaks, for small businesses needing quality modern facilities and for those who need short- or long-term storage space. We have considerable experience of developing mixed use sites in the UK but this project will be a first for Jersey.”
“The project team has worked tirelessly to come up with a scheme that we can be proud of, and that will transform this redundant commercial site. I am delighted that another Channel Island business with a long local history has come on board the project. The Channel Islands Co-Op has a warm place in Islanders’ hearts, giving back to the community it serves and that is very much in line with our own business mission.”
Mark Cox, chief executive officer for the Channel Islands Co-operative Society, said: “We know we have a lot of members living in the Five Oaks area and we believe this new store will be very much welcomed by them. Our Maufant store is very small and significantly overtrades and it is fantastic that we are now able to add an additional store in the area, which will be built to the highest standard with a number of features which will benefit the local environment. As a locally-owned community retailer we are delighted to be working with one of Jersey’s oldest businesses, Le Gallais, on this new development.”
The Design Statement is available to view on the Planning Department website here.
