What Next For A New Hospital?

Jersey's Chief Minister says the government needs to 'take time' to consider what to do next, after planning permission to build a new hospital on the current site was rejected for a second time.

Planning Inspector Philip Staddon recommended it be refused because of the impact it would have on neighbours, the town-scape and heritage.

Environment Minister Deputy John Young agreed and rejected the revised application:

"I believe this application site is not quite large enough to comfortably accommodate the proposed scheme. A different application may overcome these issues." - Deputy Young 

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré had promised another States Assembly vote imminently, where politicians will be asked if they want the hospital to go on Gloucester Street.

"I believe it is prudent to take time to consider (this) decision and the recommendations of the independent planning inspector, before announcing how the government wishes to proceed." - Senator Le Fondré

Health Minister Richard Renouf says a decision is needed urgently - for the safety of patients.

"We're really in a very complex situation now, where there seems to be no site in the island that would be acceptable in planning terms.

The States have got to get together and we've got to work out where's the public interest in this? Because we've got to build it somewhere!"

He's confirmed the latest refusal will mean further delays and increased costs.  £38m has already been spent on the Future Hospital project.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis believes the current site is still the best option, saying it has the 'least amount of problems'. 

The Future Hospital Review Panel has invited the Environment Minister to give evidence at a Scrutiny hearing to explain in more detail his reasons for rejecting the latest application.

"As a Scrutiny Panel we want to make sure that the general public and States members can have confidence in the Environment Minister's decision."  - Deputy Kevin Pamplin, panel chairman