Elizabeth Harbour overhaul plans receive committee approval

Jersey’s planning committee has given its approval to a multimillion-pound proposal. This initiative involves replacing the passenger terminal at Elizabeth Harbour and reclaiming additional land to expand the space available for essential freight operations. The committee’s decision, which includes specific stipulations, was disclosed following a public discussion of the application held at St Paul’s Centre in St Helier on Thursday. Ports of Jersey stated that the endorsement of its redevelopment proposals represented “a significant milestone for the island,” with construction slated to commence in the final quarter of 2025. Ferryspeed, the island’s primary freight enterprise, endorsed the “principle of the application” but voiced reservations regarding certain specifics. Prior to granting authorization for the undertaking, members of the planning committee requested additional data concerning the potential noise and environmental impacts associated with dredging the harbour. A requirement of the approval mandates that Ports of Jersey oversee designated zones of protected seagrass. Matt Thomas, the chief executive, conveyed his satisfaction with the planning committee’s resolution. He indicated that the redevelopment would lead to enhanced passenger amenities and expanded freight capacity, thereby offering “30 years worth of resilience for our critical lifeline supply chain.” Furthermore, Mr. Thomas mentioned that the construction phase would generate new employment opportunities, and new public spaces would be established for the enjoyment of island residents. “This marks a significant milestone for the island, reflecting our commitment to enhancing our maritime infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and improving passenger experience,” Mr Thomas said.”Now that we have the go-ahead for our plans, we look forward to progressing the project and starting the first stages of the development.” Richard Le Sueur, an architect who represented Ferryspeed’s directors during the planning committee hearing, concurred that the port was “desperately in need of renewal.” He noted that the company held reservations “regarding both the port side and the land side part” of the approved proposal, particularly concerning the relocation of the current lift-on, lift-off (LoLo) crane activities. Mr Le Sueur said, “On the port side, the new LoLo terminal will be far more exposed to prevailing winds than it is at the moment at the North Quay, so they will need tugs nearly all the time to berth ships.””There will be more days when they can’t dock because of bad weather, and if and when they do that it will be more expensive, potentially trickier, more difficult to offload and the like, so we don’t see that as a like for like replacement…we see it as a serious degradation of what there is there now.” Mr Le Sueur mentioned that Ferryspeed and Ports of Jersey had engaged in discussions about the plans “for several years,” and the freight company had anticipated that “these issues could have been resolved before the decision today.” He further stated, “It is very unfortunate that they haven’t, particularly because now we have got this tender uncertainty,” referencing the unresolved questions regarding which ferry operator will deliver long-term passenger and freight services for Jersey. He remarked: “One of the issues with logistics and handling freight is you need to know what boats are involved.””All that seems to be up in the air at the moment and really it is going to be difficult for these logistics matters to be resolved until the ferry tender is decided.” Ports of Jersey initially unveiled its intentions to broaden harbour activities and “ensure the port’s long-term viability” in September 2022. A public consultation period ensued, preceding the formal submission of the plans in February 2023. Subsequently in 2023, Ports of Jersey received authorization to secure a loan of up to £150m to assist in financing its proposals for the redevelopment of both the harbour and the airport.