Bid to halt ex-social security office sale fails

The sale of Jersey's former social security building will go ahead, despite an attempt to block it.

States members rejected a proposition from Deputy David Warr that sought to explore alternative uses for the site.

It means the Philip Le Feuvre House and the office block next door, Huguenot House in St Helier are set to be sold for £2.3m.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan previously said the sale "represents the best overall value for money to the public of Jersey".

Speaking in the debate, Warr expressed concern that the sale of the site would lead to St Helier becoming "more crowded, more concrete and more fragmented".

He called on States members to back his delay to the sale so that a "greener, fairer and more humane" plan could be considered.

He failed to convince enough States members to support his proposition, with nine votes in favour and 33 against.

Constable Andy Jehan did not speak in the debate, but he has previously suggested that the sale represented "the best overall value for money".

In response to a written question earlier in March, he wrote: "La Motte Street as a location has become increasingly unattractive to occupiers as newly developed office buildings around the Waterfront and the Esplanade have become established and are drawing demand away from this area of town."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.