Outline for £55m Strive airport hotel approved

Jersey's planning committee has given in principle approval for a new hotel and conference centre to be built near the island's airport.

The £55m project put forward by Strive Health Club includes up to 155 rooms with aims to support the health and wellbeing sector and to benefit tourism, CEO Ben Harvey said.

The first application was rejected due to it being six storeys high, too close to the main road and in breach of policies set out in the Bridging Island Plan.

Alastair Layzell, who was among those who opposed the plans, said there would be an impact on traffic and limited parking and it would set a "disastrous precedent" for future planning applications.

The committee said it was one of the most challenging planning applications it has had to consider, with all six members considering it giving it their approval it.

Harvey said Strive had already put Jersey on the map and would further benefit the tourism sector and that it was designed to showcase and benefit Jersey.

He said: "Before we get to a stage where we put a spade in the ground, we've got a lot of work to do with the planning department themselves and obviously back again with the committee - it's the first step it's a very important step.

"We were delighted obviously with the outcome but it's very much important that we understand that what we want to build is a quality hotel.

"We're all aligned to the committee and ourselves."

The planning committee said it had concerns about parking as the area was already busy with sports including the rugby club and that plans would include building on green space.

Plans include 117 parking spaces on site with intention to use overflow parking at the Aero Club across the road.

Strive said it had had "positive chats" with the club with details to be finalise - it added future staff would not be able to park there.

Rob Hayward, principal transport planner for the government, said it was "very much" in Strive's interest to prioritise parking and said the traffic and access from the main road would be OK.

Harvey said although it was a busy area, the hotel would be located next to the airport and on a regular bus route with "most of the visitors for that hotel will be coming on flights".

"We're trying to make sure that we can offer parking for those who need it but also encouraging people to make sure when they do come, let's travel sustainably," he said.

Harvey said 15 Premier League clubs had already inquired about visiting, with the latest being Fulham FC.

He said: "If we can get the likes of Liverpool to come back here for a mid-season training break, what does that do to a young seven or eight year old girl or boy who has aspirations to go on and play at the highest level?

"My dream is to see them with their kit actually watching their heroes on that pitch, which would be pretty phenomenal."

Marcus Calvani, co-chief executive of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said the approval was a "momentous moment for our industry".

"We've finally moved a dial that's been rusty and stuck in place for probably 50 years, so a huge moment for confidence, for our industry, for investment - the island is open to business," he said.

Calvani added the benefits to the wellness and sports tourism industry was something Jersey had not "really touched on".

"We're a really close trip from the UK, having those Premiership teams come over will inspire young people, it's just huge economic benefit that ripples into multiple sectors," he said.

Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said the approval represented "a major vote of confidence in our island's future".

He said: "New hotel capacity and modern facilities are vital if we are to strengthen Jersey's visitor economy, support events and conferences, and extend tourism beyond the traditional summer season.

"At a time of global uncertainty, projects of this scale demonstrate that confidence in Jersey remains strong.

"The government will continue working with industry and investors to ensure the Island remains competitive, welcoming and forward looking."

Layzell, a former deputy, described the application as "thoroughly misleading" as the Aero Club did not own the land that was being suggested for overflow parking and therefore could not approve its usage.

He said the building would be a blot on the landscape and he believed although making money was "part of Jersey DNA", the green landscape should not be sacrificed for private profit.

Layzell said the hotel would "offer the community nothing".

The planning committee said the "envelope and nothing else" had been approved, meaning Strive needed to return to the committee in the future for further approval.

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