The land to be handed over is thought to be worth �10m

States members spent two days trying to decide whether to give a piece of land worth �10m to Les Pas Holdings to settle a dispute over its claim to ownership of St Helier's foreshore.

Les Pas has been claiming ownership of a large area of the waterfront for several years and had threatened to take the States to court over the issue.

The States voted 26 to 16 to give the land to Les Pas before the case was brought to court.

I believe that the public will come to realise how great the issues were that we had to grapple with Senator Frank Walker

Although the voting details have been made public, no further details have been released as the debate was held behind closed doors.

It is understood the States could have faced a legal bill of between �7m and �12m.

Senator Frank Walker, the president of the Policy and Resources Committee, said he believed it was the best choice for the island.

He said: "It was a very, very difficult decision for everybody, irrespective of whether they were in favour of the proposition or opposed to it.

"But it was the right decision in the public interest, giving certainly to the ownership of the foreshore, which has been in question now for something like 20 years.

"I believe that the public will come to realise how great the issues were that we had to grapple with when they're able to see the transcripts of the sitting. That should be in about three weeks time."

'Regrettable decision'

But there was some ill feeling in the House as 16 members voted against the plans.

Senator Stuart Syvret said members did not have a chance for more advice on the plans.

100 luxury apartments is going to amount to a colossal building Senator Stuart Syvret

He said: "It's very regrettable that we've given away a public asset that could have accrued us �10m to spend on much needed public services.

"We should have at least had a second legal opinion, but we were denied that opportunity to meet with the States' litigation lawyer.

"I don't see how you can vote to give away a public asset without that."

He also said he was unhappy about proposals to use the land for apartments.

He said: "What the public has to realise that 100 luxury apartments is going to amount to a colossal building right on our waterfront.

"It will stand as a permanent and grotesque monument to appeasement and a lack of rigour that the States have exhibited on this matter."

One of the firms that is set to benefit from the land transfer has not made any comment.

CI Traders has a 12.25% per cent stake in Les Pas. The company said it will not be making any statements for the time being.

There is to be a public inquiry into how the States found itself needing to make the decision.