The Les Sablons development of an apartment and hotel complex in central St Helier has been granted planning permission.

Le Masurier has got consent for 238 homes and a 103 room aparthotel on Broad Street and Commercial Street.

The Infrastructure Minister has given permission for the scheme in a Ministerial Decision announced late on Friday afternoon (29 December).

Deputy Tom Binet was appointed to make the decision after the Environment Minister conceded a Royal Court appeal earlier this month.

The application was denied in December 2022.

An appeal to the Assistant Environment Minister Deputy Hilary Jeune was also refused, despite an independent planning inspector recommending it be approved.

In November, Le Masurier said it would mount a legal challenge. 

But in early December, Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf conceded the appeal and said the application would be reconsidered.

A government statement says:

"In granting planning permission, Deputy Binet considered the appeal papers, Island Plan policies, supplementary planning guidance and the Planning Inspector’s reports."

Deputy Binet said:

“I have accepted and agreed with the findings, recommendations and reasoning of the Planning Inspector and see no reason not to grant approval based on the evidence outlined to me.”

Le Masurier has previously told Channel 103 its £120m Les Sablons development would contribute to the island's chronic housing shortage, deliver 150 full-time jobs and boost tourism, all at no cost to the taxpayer.

Reacting to the news of the planning consent, Managing Director Brian McCarthy said:

“We are obviously delighted with the Minister’s decision to approve Les Sablons.

It has been a challenging journey spanning many years, as we have gone through this complex and costly process, but we believe that Les Sablons is worth fighting for.

Our decision to challenge what I believe is a fundamentally broken planning system has paid off.

I would like to sincerely thank the local community and all those who have supported our vision for Les Sablons for their overwhelming support throughout this process.

I believe that this is a real success story for Jersey and a positive development for St Helier and our island, as it will deliver the regeneration of over 2½ acres of the centre of town, providing a host of social and economic benefits through tourism, regeneration, housing, leisure, employment, pedestrianised connectivity and placemaking.”