Parish buys shipyard communal garden for £1

The Parish of St Helier has bought a community garden area in a historic former shipyard for £1.

Plans to purchase Allix's Shipyard were unanimously approved last year, the aim being to bring it back to a "good state of repair".

Situated in Havre des Pas - once a thriving hub of the island's maritime industry dating back to the 1800s - it will now be cordoned off for several weeks while essential improvements are carried out.

Having previously dubbed the site to be of "significant importance", Constable of St Helier Simon Crowcroft said he was "delighted" and "looked forward to seeing it restored to its former glory in time for summer".

In October, a St Helier assembly meeting approved immediate repair work at the site worth an estimated £7,000, while further refurbishments costing about £100,000 were also mooted.

Money for its restoration would be gathered through the Buildings Reserve Fund, according to a report presented at the time.

It also said the Vingtaine de la Ville, a subdivision of the parish and the garden's previous owners, had recognised they would struggle to meet its ongoing maintenance costs.

In addition, the report said the parish was best-placed to become the long-term custodians of the shipyard and could cover all legal costs involved with the purchase.

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