Planners 'Cannot Support' Hospital At Overdale

Thursday, 3 March 2022 at 07:44

Jersey's planning department has said it cannot support the application for a new hospital at Overdale.

In a statement submitted to the forthcoming Public Inquiry, a Senior Planning Officer says the harms would outweigh the benefits.

The Proof of Evidence report on behalf of Infrastructure, Housing and Environment has been written by Christopher Jones from the development control team.

It says the size of the new hospital will make it highly visible from many locations and relies on extensive landscaping to reduce its impact.

It says the design 'fails to demonstrate a high quality' that contributes positively to its setting.

You can read the submission in full here.

Mr Jones summaries by saying it is for the independent inspector to weigh the benefits and harms and make a recommendation to the Environment Minister.

Taken in the round, it says, 'the department concludes the harms identified are so great, they would outweigh even the very significant benefits generated' by the proposal.

Senator Lyndon Farnham, who is the political lead for the £800 million hospital project, says he has 'noted' the Planning Department's concerns.

He says officers will be making their own representation to the independent inquiry, which will show the benefits of building at Overdale do outweigh the issues.

The Deputy Chief Minister says the government 'remains committed' to building a new hospital on time and on budget.

The planning inquiry is due to start on 4 April.

Inspector Philip Staddon will review all the evidence that has been submitted and make a recommendation to Deputy John Young by mid-May.