Design Council chosen to review Jersey's Esplanade Quarter

Design Council has been appointed by the Department of the Environment to review and support the development of the Esplanade Quarter Masterplan in St. Helier, Jersey.

Design Council and the States of Jersey selected an independent panel of built environment experts to review and update the Jersey’s Esplanade Quarter. While the existing masterplan was published in April 2008, the decision to review and update it follows a recommendation by an independent planning inspector and the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.

Design Council was chosen to provide specialist support to the Department of the Environment’s work on the masterplan. Our panel includes architects and surveyors, and specialists in areas spanning urban design, transport, engineering, accessibility and stakeholder engagement. The panel will support Jersey’s Department of the Environment using a tried and tested, impartial process for design advice and guidance, to help meet the States objectives for an integrated, distinctive and sustainable masterplan. 

The main objectives of the masterplan are to integrate the old town with the waterfront and create a distinctive, mixed-use quarter in St Helier of quality offices and new homes for local residents. This will include new areas of public space and opportunities to broaden the offer within the tourism and visitor sector.

Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Design Council. I’m sure that we can benefit tremendously from the collective skill, knowledge and experience that their advisors will bring to the review. They will act as a ‘critical friend’ as we move this important project forward to ensure that we produce an imaginative, inclusive and workable masterplan for the Esplanade Quarter in line with our strategic priority of regenerating St Helier.”

The appointment follows Design Council’s recent international work in Oman and Greece, adding to our impressive portfolio of large-scale design advice panels.

Design Council’s Executive Director for Architecture, Built Environment and Design, Clare Devine, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the States of Jersey in the development of the Esplanade Quarter. The Design Advice Panel will take into account the background and context of the masterplan, and will be seeking to collaborate with stakeholders and support high quality and strategic design thinking in the development of the masterplan to help the States of Jersey realise a vibrant, viable and popular new Esplanade Quarter.”

A draft masterplan will be put out for consultation and scrutiny before a revised Esplanade Quarter Masterplan is lodged for debate in the States. Until a new Esplanade Quarter Masterplan is agreed, any planning applications that are submitted for further development on the St Helier Waterfront will be assessed on the basis of the policies that currently exist.