Work is due to start soon on a new community centre in St Martin after a planned redevelopment of the former primary school was given planning permission.

The old St Martin’s School building will be rebuilt, to house a doctor’s surgery, dentist, vet’s clinic and food retailer. The listed facade visible from La Rue de la Croix au Maitre will be kept:

The Treasury Minister’s asking the States to approve a £2.6 million pound loan to the parish to fund the re-development.

Discussions have already begun with prospective tenants to move into the new business spaces that will be created.

The Constable of St Martin, Karen Shenton-Stone, says the plans have been well-received:

“St Martin is a community parish, and the redevelopment of the former primary school is a project that has the community right at its heart. It’s because of this that our plans have been so well received by everyone that has seen them, from the senior members of the States of Jersey, the Planning Department, our funders, and future tenants.

“The provision of a doctor’s surgery and pharmacy also shows how a parish can assist the States with the delivery of the island’s future healthcare strategy. Offering parishioners other community facilities, such as a dentist’s surgery and a vet’s practice, will also help to ensure that this much-loved and very beautiful building will retain an active part in Parish life for many years to come.

“We have still yet to deliver a completed building, however, and it is important to remain focused on continuing the good progress. Our immediate challenges, therefore, remain to agree to final terms with our prospective tenants and finalising arrangements for the funding of construction works.”

Hoardings will be put up around the site later this month, in preparation for the demolition and construction work, which is planned to start early next year.