Dandara submit Esplanade planning application

A planning application has been submitted by Dandara Jersey for 66-72 Esplanade incorporating the properties situated between the Grand Jersey and Century Buildings. It also includes the building which makes up the space between 14 Patriotic Street and Kensington Place.

Working on pre-application advice from the Jersey Architectural Commission and officers from the Planning Department and in line with the adopted Supplementary Planning Guide:Design Guidance for St Helier (January 2013), plans have been drawn up for a building comprising 160,000 sq ft nett lettable space with associated ground floor parking. It has been designed to allow the interior to be split into various sizes from 10,000 – 30,000 sq ft to accommodate future occupier requirements.

This development site currently has a number of planning permissions with varying dates, however this application seeks to replace those in an effort to present a unified approach with one building meeting all the demands previously identified.

The proposed scheme will offer ground plus five floors and Dandara's previous application for an eight storey building on the site will be withdrawn.

Commenting on the application Dandara's Managing Director Martin Clancy said: “Following the success of our recent commercial scheme at 37 Esplanade we are confident that there is a demand for high quality office accommodation, particularly in this area of St Helier. Subject to planning permission, we will be developing the scheme speculatively commencing in February 2014 with completion within three years. Current occupiers within Lord Coutanche House will vacate as and when their leases expire. It has been well documented that the construction industry is struggling through the economic downturn and our significant investment will also provide much needed employment in the Island”.