The Chamber has responded to the Planning Department's recommendation to refuse permission for the Strive hotel proposal.
The head of Jersey Chamber of Commerce says he is 'aghast' at the 'frankly ridiculous' recommendation by a planning officer to refuse permission for the Strive Hotel proposal.
Plans were submitted in August for a hotel, conference centre, spa and swimming pool in St Peter next to Strive Health Club, on the Airport Road.
READ: Plans for hotel, spa and conference centre at Strive in St Peter
The stated ambition is to create 'a sports, leisure and cultural destination' to 'maintain and enhance infrastructure that supports a wide range of sports, leisure and cultural activities'.
Early praise from islanders to the plans welcomed a 'high-quality hotel by the airport,' that would create a 'major employer in the west', alleviating the 'massive surge of traffic from west to east.'
But, a report by a planning officer calls it 'overly dominant and imposing', saying it would cause 'harmful impact on the character of the countryside' - concluding that it should be rejected.
It adds that although 'there are clear economic benefits', there is 'limited evidence of public benefit or contribution to local sport'.
In contrast, Lee Maddan, President of Jersey Chamber of Commerce, says the proposal has 'strong support from Visit Jersey, Jersey Sport, the Economy Department and the Jersey Rugby Club.'
Concerns in the report also included increased road traffic, flood risk, impact on protected species, and that the residential accommodation would fail housing quality standards.
Lee Maddan says: "We need to address over-regulation and create a can-do approach, the days of economic progress being stifled by outdated policy or subjective thinking should be tossed out with tomorrow's rubbish."
A final decision will be made by the Planning Committee on Thursday 6 November.
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