Plans for a multimillion-pound redevelopment of Jersey's Elizabeth Harbour, which include replacing the passenger terminal and expanding the land area to better handle essential freight shipments, have received approval from Jersey's planning committee.
The decision, which comes with specific conditions, was announced following a public meeting held at St Paul's Centre in St Helier on Thursday. Ports of Jersey described the approval as a "significant milestone" for the island, with construction expected to commence in late 2025.
Jersey's largest freight operator, Ferryspeed, welcomed the general concept of the redevelopment but voiced concerns over some detailed aspects. The planning committee requested further information on the potential noise and environmental effects associated with dredging the harbour before granting final approval.
One condition of the approval requires Ports of Jersey to monitor protected seagrass habitats. Matt Thomas, the Chief Executive of Ports of Jersey, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, noting that the redevelopment will enhance passenger facilities and boost freight capacity, ensuring "30 years of resilience for our essential supply chain."
Thomas also emphasised that the project would create jobs during the construction phase and add new public spaces for residents. "This is a major milestone for Jersey, underscoring our dedication to enhancing maritime infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and improving passenger experience," he stated. With the plans now approved, Ports of Jersey is eager to begin the initial stages of the development.
Architect Richard Le Sueur, representing Ferryspeed directors at the planning hearing, agreed that the port requires urgent upgrades but raised issues about both the port-side and land-side aspects of the project, particularly regarding the proposed relocation of the lift-on, lift-off (LoLo) crane.
Le Sueur cautioned that the new LoLo terminal would be more exposed to prevailing winds than its current location at North Quay, likely requiring tugs for docking and potentially increasing costs and logistical challenges in bad weather. "This isn’t a like-for-like replacement; we see it as a significant downgrade from current capabilities," he said.
Le Sueur noted that Ferryspeed and Ports of Jersey have been in discussions over these plans for several years, expressing disappointment that unresolved issues remain, particularly amid ongoing uncertainty around which ferry operator will be contracted for Jersey's long-term passenger and freight services.
"Logistics planning requires certainty about vessel operations," he said. "Unfortunately, with the ferry tender undecided, it's difficult to fully resolve these logistics issues."
Ports of Jersey first announced its expansion plans in September 2022, aiming to secure the port's long-term viability. Following a public consultation, the formal plans were submitted in February 2023, and later that year, Ports of Jersey received permission to borrow up to £150 million to fund the redevelopment of the harbour and airport.