Concerns raised over Fort Regent development plans

Public concerns have been raised during a government presentation of its vision to develop a prominent part of St Helier.

At an event on Tuesday, Jersey Development Company outlined its plans for Fort Regent, including a cinema, bowling alley, bars and restaurants, a skate park and cable cars connecting the fort with the town.

Some islanders at the meeting expressed unhappiness with the plans and sports clubs which use the fort said they had not been properly consulted.

Constable Andy Jehan, infrastructure minister at the States of Jersey, said he was confident solutions could be found to the issues raised.

Roisin Pitman, 63, said she been involved with Fort Regent for 54 years and founded her Aikido club there in 1987.

She said she was unhappy to be asked to relocate her club to another venue.

"We feel, as long standing users, that we have been forgotten and just farmed out to what they said are suitable premises," said Ms Pitman.

"But with the martial arts side of it, we've been told we will be one of seven groups that are fighting for space in just one room at Oakfield."

Ms Pitman was also unsure about the future vision for Fort Regent.

She said: "I'm not sure about having so many cinemas at Fort Regent, the current users of Fort Regent are not being given a second thought.

"By giving health and well-being possibilities we are taking the strain off health and social services, but we could go out of business if we don't find suitable homes."

James Evans, 39 said the government should put more focus on keeping sports clubs at the fort.

"The government said they have spare rooms they aren't utilising and they have no plans for them, yet they are pushing these people out into various parts of the island that they don't want to be and can't use," he said.

Michael Kidman, 65, also expressed concerns about the plans.

He said: "I think they are unrealistic, they look marvellous but in looking marvellous I don't think they are workable.

"The expense sheet is too big, I think you want to utilise the money progressively and there are 40 groups up there who have nowhere to go and if you lose those you lose a lot of money."

Mr Kidman said he felt the government had not made enough effort to engage with groups currently using the site.

He said: "They haven't made the effort to contact the support groups.

"I've been there every step of the way and I said tonight let's start on a fresh footing so we will see."

Jehan said he had taken the various concerns raised on board and would be looking for solutions.

He said: "I need to do more engagement personally, there is no doubt about that.

"I have been given assurances that things have happened but from what I hear tonight maybe they haven't happened as well as I'd been told.

"So I'm going to spend time with user groups and individual sports to see if we can find solutions for them.

"I'm confident that with the large estate we have on the island we can find solutions."

Jehan said he wanted to hear more opinions on the proposed uses for Fort Regent, including the cinema.

He said: "I think we are going to wait for the feedback from all islanders, clearly tonight we had a lot of people that have got an interest in Fort Regent from a sport perspective."

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