Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter : local community and key stakeholders

States of Jersey Design Advice Panel December 2017 Introduction

In January 2017, was appointed workshops. Through this process the panel by the States of Jersey Department of the recommended that the States of Jersey and the Environment to review and promote independent States of Jersey Design Advice Panel (SoJDAP) advice on the development of the Esplanade engage with the local community and key Quarter Masterplan for St. Helier. The decision stakeholders at an early stage of the discussions to review and update the existing masterplan on the new masterplan. As a result, two Design follows a recommendation by an independent were arranged and facilitated by planning inspector and the Corporate Services the SoJDAP in November 2017. These design Scrutiny Panel. charrettes were held over two consecutive days: the first with local amenity groups and To carry out this work, Design Council and the local community members; and the second with States of Jersey selected an independent Design key stakeholders, government departments Advice Panel of 3 Built Environment Experts and ministers. Both charrettes were attended (BEE’s) drawn from the Design Council’s network by States of Jersey and facilitated by SoJDAP of 400 BEE’s to review the 2008 Masterplan. panel members and members of staff at Design The panel provides a tried and tested, impartial Council Cabe. Summaries of these sessions process for design advice and guidance, are collated in this report and some detailed which will assist the Department in producing commentary from the attendees can be found in a framework that will facilitate an integrated, the Appendix. distinctive and sustainable form of development. Design Council is a charity, and is recognised as The Design Council’s subsequent review of a leading authority on using as the existing masterplan has been carried out a tool to tackle major societal challenges, drive through a series of workshops and advisory economic growth and , and improve sessions including a fact-finding visit, visioning the quality of the built environment. It advises the workshop and 3 separate evidence based review UK government on design.

2 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 3 Summary Key recommendations

The ‘Reimaging the Esplanade Quarter’ The local community and key stakeholders Design Charrette on 5 November 2017 share a vision for a ‘world class’ quarter provided an open platform for lively and which feels lively and accessible to future productive discussions on the future workers, residents and tourists in the local of the site and its role in enlivening and area. futureproofing St Helier, Jersey. To achieve this ambition, some key suggestions The design charrette provided the SoJDAP and from the attendees included a mix of uses, much Design Council staff with a wide range of local stronger pedestrian and cycling connections views and feedback on the site, its context and from the site to the waterfront and to the town thoughts on the design, planning and delivery centre, and active and linked public spaces. of the current masterplan. The local community, While the discussions focused on the future of amenity groups and key stakeholders were the Esplanade Quarter site, the attendees were keen to engage in Charrette 1, showing keen to discuss the wider area, particularly to the importance of the site and of the wider the south-west of the site, and the need for any waterfront area in the mind of the community. future development framework to go beyond the existing red-line boundary. Some concerns were A wide range of local people of different ages, raised by the local community about the lack professional backgrounds, levels of involvement of public engagement on the 2008 masterplan in the existing masterplan and from different proposal, and the delivery of the proposal locations on the island attended the session. by the States of Jersey and States of Jersey Some individuals represented key amenity Development Corporation. groups in Jersey and St. Helier, and some attended out of general interest of St Helier and the island as a whole. While some attendees only attended part of the charrette day, most stayed for the whole session. Based on the discussions at the Reimagining 4. Focus on connectivity across the site by the Esplanade Quarter Design Charrette, Design pedestrians and cyclists The charrette opened with a presentation Council recommends that the States of Jersey: from the Chair of the SoJDAP, followed by a 5. Enable strategic changes of the current presentation by the States of Jersey. In the first 1. Engage the community and key stakeholders masterplan to deliver a world class place half of the session, the attendees were asked in the design process through workshops to share their ‘Issues, Dreams and Actions’ in and meetings as the proposal for the 6. Recreate La Route de la Liberation as relation to the Esplanade Quarter and wider area. Esplanade Quarter evolves a boulevard by narrowing the highway In the second half of the session, the attendees introducing significant greenery allowing were divided into smaller groups to discuss 2. Develop a communication strategy to pedestrian facilities, instead of sinking the four specific themes for plenary sessions on provide regular updates to the community road below the site. connectivity, landscape, strategic planning through newsletters and social media and . The majority of attendees Design Council will continue to engage with the walked the site and its surroundings to inform 3. Allow the Esplanade Quarter masterplan to States of Jersey on the delivery of the Esplanade their group discussions. Feedback from these be informed by its relationship to the wider Quarter in 2018 and hopes to continue to engage sessions was summarised by a member of the context with the local community and key stakeholders local community to the wider audience. at future meetings to help deliver a ‘world class’ place. *A detailed programme is set out in Appendix 1 and full list of attendees in Appendix 2.

4 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 5 Issues, Dreams and Actions

In the first half of the Design Charrette, the some local community members suggested that attendees were asked to share their ‘Issues, the government should pay for infrastructure Dreams and Actions’ for the Esplande Quarter to deliver a more successful masterplan. Local on post-it notes and together as a large group. design experts in attendance expressed their Below is a summary of the post-it notes and enthusiasm in the future masterplan and asked discussions. A full list of comments from the to be involved to a greater degree. post-it notes with the local community and key stakeholders could be found in Appendix 3. Transport and connectivity There was a general sense that a “seriously radical” approach was needed to improve Issues transport issues and pedestrian/cycling connectivity across the Esplanade Quarter site Below is a summary of the key overarching and in the wider area of St Helier. In general, the issues based on the post-it notes exercise: proposal for the new sunken road was assumed to be unviable and also not the best solution to • The area is unattractive and uninviting link the waterfront and the site. The attendees • The roads have significant impact – severing were concerned about the traffic issues along connections the A1 and some questioned whether the • The area is unhealthy, inhumane, stark, bleak sunken road could effectively address this issue as it would allow quicker travel between • New development is un-Jersey-like – lacking help create a more attractive and user-friendly Site character, uses and Building 6 identity traffic jams. However, there was general consensus on the need to improve the look place for the wider community. The emergence There was a significant amount of concern about • There is public inertia, frustration at inaction of future developments along the waterfront the character of the new quarter, particularly • There is a perceived lack of vision and and feel of the A1, particularly by greening and potentially narrowing the road, and providing were discussed, as well as the need to integrate in terms of the types of buildings and spaces. direction these proposals with the Esplanade Quarter The local community did not feel the current • More diversity of use is wanted more and safer pedestrian / cycle crossings. The attendees considered the possibility of masterplan. masterplan felt ‘of Jersey’ and were keen to look • It’s time to “wipe the slate clean – look at ways to integrate the future buildings and forwards not back” retaining the existing Route de la Liberation and raising the current underpass to ground Open spaces spaces on the site into the historic town centre, The attendees were keen to understand how for example through the use of local materials In discussing the post-it notes with the group, to deliver these ambitions. A new park and ride system was also discussed as part of a strategic the open (s) on the site would integrate and re-defining ‘St Helier-ness’ for the 21st the attendees were able to define 5 key issues in with the wider public and open spaces. They century. There was general support for a mix of the re-development of the site: approach. Notwithstanding these comments, the cultural role and reliance on cars on the discussed ways in which the open spaces could uses on the site, to include the financial services island was raised as a potential constraint. be better connected and feel more attractive as its core use. Suggested uses included local Delivery and welcoming to the wider public, and not shops, such as dry cleaners and food marts, and There was a sense amongst the attendees that just the financial service workers. The concept homes. Some expressed concern over high-end a ‘general disconnect’ had grown between the Waterfront The attendees considered the proximity to the of ‘big-small’ relationships between buildings stores that may not attract high footfall, which community and the States of Jersey on the and places was raised. Safety, greenness and may result in empty units and inactive open delivery of the 2008 masterplan. They suggested waterfront and town centre to be a great asset to the site and its future users. As a historic sense of activity of these spaces was thought spaces in the future. a more holistic approach to the proposal to to be important in the design and delivery of the ensure that strategic issues on the island are maritime town, they thought that access, and views, to the sea should be a key feature of the future open spaces on the site. The Garden City The location of Building 6 was aired as an issue. taken into account, such as demographic principles was suggested as a starting point Some attendees thought that it could potentially changes, policies on population growth and proposal, and would help to build St Helier’s commercial base and international identity. for an approach to the design and use of open bookend the site, restrict connectivity between measures to deal with climate change, flooding space. the site and the leisure quarter to the south and and environmental conditions. Despite some Some thought that the “waterfront is now ugly” and should be considered with the Esplanade to reduce the site’s potential social, physical and concerns about the cost of financing the project, economic value.

6 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 7 Plenary sessions

Dreams Actions Connectivity

The local community thought that the Esplanade The Actions post-it exercise highlighted the Quarter should be a ‘world class’ new district need for strategic action by the States of Jersey which could positively contribute to Jersey’s and SoJDC. Below is a summary of the key built environment, economy and identity. Below overarching actions based on the post-it notes is a summary of the key overarching dreams exercise: based on the post-it notes exercise: • Involve the community to create a shared • Jersey – high aspiration vision • Pride – “World Class” • Develop a culture of openness and • Long term and sustainable for future transparency generations to enjoy • Studies – finance, roads and transport, big • St “Helier-ness” ideas • Focus on people and place – plus beauty • Create a robust, flexible, development and the environment framework with placemaking principles and - Cardiff Bay a design code - Cape Town • The need for a robust process of delivery - Liverpool One • Develop a programme of meanwhile uses to • Views and links to the town animate the site should be encouraged • Children’s play • “This should be about people and place – * A full list of comments from this exercise with turn it on its head” the local community and key stakeholders could be found in the Appendix.

This group considered desire lines for a range Some key nodes for improvement included: of users in the town and those that are likely to • The pedestrian crossing over the A1 to the use the site on a daily basis in future. The group east of the site, adjacent to the Liberty Wharf highlighted important pedestrian/cycling access Shopping Centre routes to/through the site through these group • The large roundabout along the A1 to the discussions: south east of the site • Castle Street to the east of the site • The pedestrian crossing to the north western • La Route de la Liberation into the site from tip of the site. It was felt these connections the west are dangerous and feel unsafe and should be • Connection into the site from Payn Street improved. or Anley St from the north. There was some concern that Building 6 potentially disrupts Other discussion points included: this route, but some also thought that this • The potential to incorporate the underused disruption may be positive as it will provide land to the west of the site adjacent to the direct views to buildings and open spaces. waterfront • Future connection into the site from the • The potential redistribution of car parking in south via Rue de l’Etau/car park exit or a St Helier new pedestrian link from the public space • The need to understand future traffic and between the Fitness First and TGI Fridays. connections to the hospital

8 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 9 Urban design

The urban design group explored how the the water with a strong frontage to the • Prioritise walking and cycling whilst There was a strong desire from the community buildings and open spaces in the Esplanade water reinterpreting the original Esplanade providing for access by other modes of to continue to be involved in the process of Quarter could better integrate with the wider frontage. transport and planning for future developing proposals for the new quarter area, particularly future development to the • Celebrate views to, through and out of the in how people will get about. and how it will be used in the future, including south and west of the site. Recommendations new quarter • Connect the old town through alleys, streets meanwhile uses before development starts on included the need to: • Create sheltered public spaces within the and spaces that lead naturally and gently to site. • Understand the DNA of the old town and new quarter through the block structure the waterfront interpret in a new walkable urban grain for • Create active ground floors to bring vibrant • Redesign the road environment to tame it, the Esplanade Quarter. street life and create a feeling of animation humanise it and green it. • Reconnect with water by establishing and safety • Base the new masterplan on active and well connected urban block leading to beautiful streets and squares

10 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 11 Landscape Policy strategy

• The high quality public realm (one example • A new masterplan needs to go outside being utilisation of local stone, in distinct the current red line and consider the wider vernacular patterns appropriate to the harbour area material) • There needs to be a more active role for the • That planting should respond to climate and local community and wider stakeholders. context, with traditional urban trees thriving This could be rationalised within a in sheltered spaces and alternative species Development Corporation that has: (for example pines) responding well to - 50% political leadership coastal conditions - 50% community/ business interest • That ground-floor activity is critical to the - 10 year life span success and feel of the urban spaces - Special powers to invest and acquire land • A separate community council to interact Some key recommendations included: with the Corporation on a regular basis • To involve the community and wider • The grain and intimacy of existing urban stakeholders in the design process and the spaces must be brought through into any development of masterplans new masterplan • The need for a series of studies including: • Appropriate coastal tree species would be - The real and future needs of the finance required to survive the prevailing winds and industry windy micro climates generated by larger - Connectivity, movement, transport and new buildings. infrastructure • Buildings need to be considered together as - The opportunity for ‘big ideas’ – cultural, part of the masterplan (as in the town centre) arts uses, events and spaces to create sheltered and usable spaces • The need for curated meantime uses that protected from prevailing winds. Proposed go beyond occasional one-off events and buildings together need to be subject to wind surface level car parking testing to ensure the aspiration for sheltered • A new development framework for usable spaces is achieved. infrastructure, development briefs and The landscape group considered the existing materiality, varying textures, colours, art and • That new plans should be public-realm smaller masterplans urban form and the range of public spaces facilities (toilets, seats, lights etc). All done led utilising buildings to form and liven from sea front to the historic town. The group with design consideration to a high standard. appropriate spaces highlighted a number of key points: • The masterplan should be made up of a • The creation of clear character areas from series of distinct spaces that should emerge the maritime garden, through parades to • The city being enjoyed as a series of from the overall character of the masterplan intimate spaces with ground-floor activity sequential spaces each varying in scale and through high quality architectural accent • That new development should put people- form. buildings, public realm, art and consideration first, planning for the future through flexible • The intimate nature of public spaces in of the functions for activating ground floors buildings and spaces the historic centre – and their ability to and public space edges. accommodate large numbers of people for • The sense of moving through streets, into The policy group considered the need for a special events smaller or larger squares or corners where framework and governance structure to promote • The comfortable feel of spaces being derived perhaps buildings of interest or distinct delivery of the site. Key recommendations from a cocktail of varying uses, active character would change the perception or included: ground floors with spillage into the spaces, influence the character of the next space.

12 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 13 Appendix 1 Appendix 2

Attendees

States Members

Senator Andrew Green Senator Sarah Fergusson CONFIDENTIAL Deputy David Johnson Deputy Judith Martin Deputy Steve Luce - afternoon only Constable Christopher Taylor Deputy Jeremy Macon Deputy John Le Fondre Deputy Rod Bryans

Architects Jane Blakely Nicholas Socrates Richard le Sueur Ian Marett (also representing Chamber of Commerce) Mike Waddington Derek Mason

Lobby / Business Groups Save our Shoreline - Dave Cabeldu Save our Shoreline - Jacqui Carrel Jersey Action Group - JohnBaker West of Town Community Assoc - Andrew Le Quene Societe Jersiaise - Alastair Best Jersey Construction Council - Simon Barrows Digital Jersey - James Linder Christopher McCarthy (ex-Jsy sustainability Commissioner)

Others John Young Diane Neal Melanie Luce Harrison Matthews - Vic College student Steve Beddoe Paul Kelly Jennifer Bridge Samantha Logan

14 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 15

• Desirable open spaces – vitality to these Process • More as per the principal objectives Appendix 3 • Public spaces • More competitions! • Vibrant, green, fully occupied area (possibility • Green spaces – healthy • Get rid of the Jersey Development Company of an iconic new hospital quarter) • “Garden City” – guiding principles would be • Stop all new builds until a new plan is agreed • International conference centre and facilities, Issues nice generates wide business and attracts • The Road outside interest Vernacular • issue – traffic Dreams • Loss of “Jersey” identity • The road – “motorway to nowhere”! • Confused vision of different • No 1: Roads Landscape Actions • Lack of human scale and context • How do we cross the ROAD? • Like Cape Town – seaside restaurants, • Link old town with new souvenir shops, children’s entertainment Longevity Visual Impact • Access between sites • Views • Have a 100-year vision – not a 10 year one • Proposed hospital – eyesore from EQ • Lack of connectivity between the town and • Vibrant, green, “life is happening”, all kinds of • Turn the clock back – if only • Landscape view the waterfront work, play and cultural activities etc • Not St Peter Port • Isolation of the existing town • Vibrant, embraces its seafront, green spaces Community-led in-between buildings with birdlife, a nice • Voices actually heard and opinions taken on Beauty Public Access – Other place! board. More for people not for profit. • Space for serendipity…. • Access to seafront for pedestrians – LOST! • Inspirational spaces for children to play in • Keep Government out of it! • Delight “drought” • Public Transport – public access to transport • Connect to nature • Unattractive uninviting waterfront • Issue the esplanade quarter is not leading • Access at Grade through traffic restricted Actions • Ugliness of waterfront anywhere zone to mixed use area surrounding and • Gulf between government and public/ • How do we regain CHARACTER? • Access from town sheltering high quality space community overcome by involving • Connections to places or destinations • Public Safety • Cardiff Bay replicated community , people, stakeholders, • Beautiful (for good mental health) transparent, robust process – people power Quality of Building Environment • Looks like Port Grimaud in France • Use local skills – appoint locals to • Skyscrapers height is inappropriate • Exposed, windy environment • Pretty to look at! (ie not ugly, an committee/s • Quality of • Flooding embarrassment as you come into the island • Force the politicians to listen • Poor design boxes • The weather or town by road or boat) • Building + height • An integrated vernacular seamless extension Precedents? • Places that get better over time Housing/Other Needs to the existing town with mixed use • Use designs from other successful places eg • Issue – not an interesting place to be • 12,000 units of housing needed by 2035 • Creatively looking at the reality of an aging Liverpool ONE population and accommodation ie key • Follow Garden City design principles Viability Politics worker accommodation • Curation of the commercial offer • Building 6 – STOP IT! • Creative Quarter on the waterfront/re-locate Do it?! • Cost and funding • Politicians are responsible for this mess Arts Centre, Opera House and Library • States – public investment in infrastructure • Commitment to delivery • Commercial or community driven? (leads to private investment) • Not viable financially • No population policy – need one Distinctive, attractive, the best! • Have a plan and this time make the States • Funding • Politicians don’t listen • World Class follow it! • Usage of land not establishes – NEEDS • Inspiration • A clear design statement that incorporates Mixed Use – Vibrancy • Disconnect – politicians and people • Mixture of Victoria, Canada, Barcelona, Paris the needs of the community and the money • No facilities to go to good bars and and Marseille to do it! restaurants Cars - Parking • Something to be proud of • States to give new Masterplan to SOJDC • Single use office? Need other uses – life 24/7 • Car parking – access for families, tourists, • Unique to Jersey – you know you are in • A good plan and stick to it • What do we mean by a “financial quarter”? visitors parking Jersey – not just another copy of other • Re-establish Masterplan and work to it • Arts and leisure uses • Parking is only provided for the elite/wealthy places • Building uses (mix) decision makers (offices built with spaces • Reflective of an evolving economy only for directors) • “World Class” – Arts Centre – a destination, Skills with visitors and life – a major attraction • No local ? Road • World Class – vibrant centre • Open Space – Health • Change the road – or bury it • International – vibrant

16 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1 17 Appendix 3 States of Jersey Design Advice Panel 17 18 Reimagining the Esplanade Quarter: Design Charrette 1