Care Memorial Planned For At La Collette Gardens

Wednesday, 21 December 2022 11:19

La Collette Gardens. Credit: Parish of St Helier.

A memorial to islanders who suffered abuse in Jersey's care system will be at La Collette Gardens, if planning approval is giving next year.

A permanent memorial was one of the recommendations that came from the 2017 Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

A Citizen's Panel, set up in its wake, recommended a place to acknowledge what happened.

Jersey Community Partnership, which is representing child abuse survivors, says the design for a 'Place to Remember' has been submitted for pre-application planning advice.

Previous controversial plans and designs for a memorial at the Weighbridge were scrapped when some survivors said it would reignite upsetting memories.

Previous designs for a memorial at the Weighbridge were shelved following a protest in late 2020

Work has been going on since to achieve a consensus.

Now, if the 'Place to Remember' is approved, it will be at La Collette Gardens in St Helier.

The design will include a 'reflective pool', a butterfly garden and a small granite structure positioned in the first rays of morning sun - as a symbol of hope and a reminder that 'each day is a fresh start'.

“Submitting pre-application planning advice is a huge step forward to realising the Place to Remember.

I would like to thank everyone who has been involved so far, for their commitment and vision for this very important place. We look forward to receiving planning approval next year.” - Cheyenne O’Connor, Outreach Worker for survivors of institutional abuse.

More from Jersey News

Plans to modernise Jersey's 'extremely outdated' cremation rules

Jersey's rules on cremation are being modernised for the first time since the 1960s.
Driver 'seriously injured' in Grouville crash

A driver has been admitted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Jersey.
Jury finds Shay John Bester guilty of offences including rape

Shay John Bester has been found guilty, after going on trial for offences including six counts of rape against three young, vulnerable females.
African community groups express 'disappointment' with Deputy Ozouf sentencing

Friends of Africa Jersey and the Kenyans in Jersey Committee have come together to express their disappointment following Deputy Philip Ozouf's sentencing, and are calling for increased protection for workers who speak out about exploitation.
Island Energy to return to Royal Court over Mont Pinel gas explosion

Island Energy is set to return to the Royal Court to enter pleas after being charged by the Health and Safety Inspectorate over a gas explosion at Mont Pinel.
Jersey to introduce legal limit for PFAS in drinking water

A legal limit for PFAS in Jersey's drinking water will be introduced for the first time.
Jersey Electricity drops St Martin solar farm idea

Jersey Electricity has dropped plans for a solar farm on land in St Martin belonging to the King.
PPC won't move to block Deputy's return to States Assembly

The committee that oversees States Members' conduct says it won't being a proposition to further suspend Deputy Philip Ozouf following his conviction for immigration offences.