ALL land acquisition relating to the Our Hospital project has been ‘paused’ while a review into the scheme takes place, the government has confirmed.
The news came after Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet announced that plans to build the £804 million facility at Overdale were ‘no longer feasible’, and that his ongoing review into the project – which is examining alternative options – was now ‘essential’.
In July, former Chief Minister John Le Fondré said that compulsory purchase orders on St Helier land needed for the future-hospital project would not be finalised until the new Council of Ministers had formed.
The orders – issued by the States Greffe on the instructions of the outgoing Assistant Environment Minister Gregory Guida – are related to the parish car park near West Park Apartments, car parking along the edge of the People’s Park, Jersey Bowling Club’s site at Westmount, and areas adjacent to Westmount Road.
In a statement, the government said: ‘No compulsory purchases have taken place as part of the Our Hospital project. All land has been acquired by agreement.
‘The only land issues still outstanding at Overdale in connection with the project are one small private property and land owned by the parish of St Helier.
‘All land acquisition for the project has been paused, pending the review.
‘Any use of the land that has been acquired will be resolved once the review has completed.’
Campaigner Mary Venturini, who led a series of daily walks around Westmount when the access route for the project was being debated, said: ‘I’m extremely happy that the review is taking place. However, the procedures that lie ahead are considerable.’