Romerils Unveils Plans For Nearly 100 Town Flats

Romerils has unveiled plans to build 94 apartments on its Dumaresq Street and Hue Street site.

The retailer and builders merchants has announced a proposed major regeneration of part of St Helier.

It wants to demolish nine existing 'inefficient' buildings at the rear to make way for an extension to the original store, three independent retail outlets, and 94 apartments on top.

Bosses hope the addition of 26,000 sq feet of retail space will enhance the shopping experience in St. Helier.

Designs show a ten storey building at its tallest, the same height the the blocks on Hue Street, near the National Trust award-winning restored and listed Foot townhouses.

Romerils' Managing Director Mark Syvret says the proposal has thought about the preservation of the area, and the designs show a 'crescendo of height', by layering storeys towards the Hue Street's high rises, near Union Street, to soften the appearance of the residential areas.

He says the plans are respectful towards the historical buildings on the South of Dumaresq Street and Hue Street, by proposing lower heights and creating distance between the two sites.

Surface level car parking, which currently occupies half of the existing land, would be moved underground, with spaces for customers and residents.

Proposals in including making the site behind Locke Café greener and more pedestrian-friendly,  with the addiction of a dozen tree and seating.

"The objective is to have areas for people to stop and sit, but there to be hopefully fewer vehicles around, if we can works with the parishes and Infrastructure on that, as well as trees with adequate planting to green the area up." - Mark Syvret

The planned homes will have 'green rooftop spaces' and use solar panels and  a rain-catching roof.

Residents will also have access to balconies, and a winter garden which will be situated in the Grade 4 listed frontage, facing the back of Mark & Spencer.

Mr Syvret says he wants over 15% of the residential units to be affordable accommodation and he would prefer them to be listed for those who are 'entitled'.

The St Helier-based retailer has launched a public consultation today (2 November) to hear what islanders think about its plans to redevelop nine old building, and the car park.

Mr Syvret says the company has traded in Dumaresq Street since 1950 and now there is an opportunity to develop the area.

"Right from the get go we have been very conscious that we have a Grade 4 listed building that was built in the mid-1960s and we want to retain that and hopefully convert it to make it more fit for purpose."

If planning permission is granted, it is predicted the renovation will be completed in phases which will take around four years.

Representatives from the company and their architect design team will be available to speak to islanders in the Town Hall on 2 November from 12.30pm to 7pm and 3 November, from 10am to 4pm.