Strive Hotel blocked, £29m Millbrook House Hotel gets go ahead

The Strive Hotel in St Peter, deemed 'overly dominant' and 'imposing' by planning officers, has been refused while a boutique hotel at Millbrook House has been given the green light.

It may come as no surprise, because in late October a report by a planning officer concluded the Strive project should be rejected.

It called the £55 million 179-bedroom complex, with a spa, pool and conference centre, 'overly-dominant and imposing', adding that it would cause 'harmful impact on the character of the countryside'.

However, the Planning Committee, which met today to make a decision, were split with three of the seven members voting in favour of the build.

Constable Mark Labey said  'elements are not insurmountable' when it comes to environmental concerns around the project.

Backers said it would be a vital boost to the island's tourism industry, creating jobs and providing a year-round  business and entertainment events space alongside world-class sports facilities.

Plans for the Strive Hotel lobby

Earlier this month, the President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce  reacted to recommendation to deny consent to the Strive hotel, saying he was 'aghast' and calling it a 'frankly ridiculous' recommendation.

READ: Jersey Chamber of Commerce 'aghast' at recommendation to reject Strive Hotel plans

He told the Planning Committee today that refusal would be a mistake and would sent a message that 'Jersey is closed for business'.

Committee member Deputy Alex Curtis suggested the plans could be revised and resubmitted, but Strive's Managing Director Ben Harvey said investors are losing faith.

He declined to speak to Channel 103.

Plans for the Strive Hotel in St Peter

Separately, the Planning Committee was unanimously in favour of a multimillion-pound overhaul and extension to the former Millbrook House Hotel.

Constable Labey said repeatedly how much  he would like to stay there himself.

In 2021, the original plans were set to cost £14 million, but a recent revision suggested a figure more than double that amount.

Read: Revised plans for Millbrook House to become a 'boutique art hotel'

CCA Galleries intends to restore the Gatehouse, Stable wing and grounds.

It will completely demolish the 1970s block to make room for a modern extension and additional one- and two-bedroom guest rooms, with cooking facilities.

There will also be a range of 'five-star' rooms, five 'waterside' cabins, a converted stable wing, or even a suite in the original villa or its gatehouse.

Developers also build a woodland chapel within the grounds, a spa and wellness centre, a gym, and a Glasshouse cafe.