Jersey's Health Minister says he is 'greatly relieved and delighted' that the new acute hospital at Overdale has got planning permission.
After more than a decade of debate and delays, Deputy Tom Binet says the consent is a major milestone for islanders.
"It means they are one step closer to getting the facilities that they so badly need. It's major, isn't it? Barring any peculiar eventuality now, we are well on the way to getting a new hospital."
The seven politicians on the Planning Committee were unanimous in their decision to permit the development, which will cost an estimated £710 million and is part of a package of new healthcare facilities expected to exceed £1bn.
"I hadn't pinned too much hope on anything. I was just waiting to see what happened. There were seven people on the committee and we had seven votes in favour. It couldn't have gone any better."
"It means we are in a much better position now to secure a main delivery partner, and once we have got that pinned down we can get onto construction which, all things being equal, should be before Christmas."
Preparatory work at Overdale will begin in the spring and the main contractors are due to be appointed in the autumn.
Ministers are aiming for a completion date before the end of 2028.
The government released a video of how the hospital will be built:
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Reaction to the decision has come from politicians and the public:
Hallelujah 🙏
— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) February 20, 2025
Over a decade and £100m+ squandered before now, but we are almost at the finish line.
Our political system has a lot to answer for in letting this take so long and cost so much. Proper democratic reform would have resolved this.
But now let’s get building asap! https://t.co/oGCjYcZxIA
Hallelujah
- Build it quick
How many years down the line at last this goverment seem to be pulling together let’s hope this continues.
The multi-site healthcare facilities will be extremely expensive.
— Deputy Max Andrews (@MaxandrewsJ) February 20, 2025
Overdale is the first part. We still need to agree borrowing for Kensington Place/St Saviour, too 😟.
Stone not laid yet .... let's see if this happens as previous agreed plans didn't happen ... then more money spent on planning... I won't believe it till we see work being done
Top fan
This is probably going to be the most expensive hospital in the world in true Jersey style
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