Plans for Fort Regent transformation fall behind

The redevelopment of Fort Regent is at least eight months behind schedule, just over a year on since it closed its doors.

An initial timeline for the ambitious £110 million project had intended to have site-wide planning approval by this month.

However, an application for the first phase of the work - due in at the end of March - is yet to be submitted. 

Channel 103 has been told the election period and 'conservation considerations' have slowed the process.

The government now aims for a final phase 1 planning application by the end of November 2026.

Jersey Development Company shared the vision for the Fort's regeneration - complete with concert and sports arena - 18 months ago, in April 2025, with a target completion date of the end of 2028.

Read: New plans for £110M Fort Regent revealed

Entrance to the Arena, Fort Regent. Credit: Jersey Development Company.

Consents have been given for removing asbestos, ground work investigations and removing the roof - in August, June and April respectively.  No update has been given on the exact progress of any of that work.

The government says 'a lot of work has continued behind the scenes'.

£43 million has been approved for the first phase and remains allocated in the 2027 Budget.  The government said:

 "This will cover the essential repairs and infrastructure needed to secure the building and enable future phases."

"These include repairs to the historic roof and extensive glazing, conservation works to the walls, the replacement and upgrading of outdated services, alongside drainage and fire safety improvements."

Updated renovation plans for the local landmark were revealed in April of this year, with a cinema, bowling alley and outdoor play and activity spaces.

Read: New plans for £110M Fort Regent revealed

Of the delays, the government told Channel 103:

"The programme is taking longer than originally envisaged, partly due to the election period and partly because of refinements to the scope of works within Phase 1.

"Fort Regent is a complex listed Georgian fort, and the design, planning and conservation considerations required for a project of this nature add to the time needed to ensure the work is carried out appropriately."

Once planning approval is granted, expressions of interest will be sought from the construction trade.

No revised target completion date has been given.