Senator criticizes government colleagues for formally rejecting FB football field plans

Senator Steve Pallett insisted that comments made on behalf of Jersey Property Holdings, the landlord of the site, be ignored in a hearing with the Planning Committee as he spoke about plans to rehabilitate the abandoned portion of the St Clement plant.

The former constable of St Brelade admitted he was partly to blame for the decade-long decommissioning of volleyball courts next to the track and field, but urged sports teams and landowners to come together for the greater good instead of pulling in opposite directions.

However, four colleagues in the Pallett State Assembly formally voted to reject proposals that included the installation of a 3G lawn and a new perimeter network and boarding. They cite noise and light pollution as well as parking as reasons for their decision.

“I’ve heard some pretty amazing comments, some pretty disappointing comments from some who oppose this application,” Pallett said at a public meeting. “I don’t want to take into account the comments of the residents, but those who have come from government officials.”

Earlier, a spokesman for the law firm spoke on behalf of the landlord’s Jersey Property Holdings [JPH], suggested that the noise from the new five – person field at St Peter ‘s Strive should be heard from 200 meters away.

The nearest properties of the FB volleyball courts are about ten meters away.

Representatives of the Jersey Table Tennis Association and the Jersey Spartan Athletics Club also objected.

“I have to say JPH’s comments are pretty amazing,” Pallett said. “They are unproven and some of them are false. They have mentioned Strive without any evidence and I think they have to be ignored because they have no part in this design application.

“Sport in the UK coexists quite happily. Here’s some of my disappointment with other sports [at FB Fields]. I understand their concerns, but frankly, they should try to work together instead of trying to embed a proposal that I think makes sense.

Plans had long plagued finding a 60-year-old land contract, which led JPH to make a u-turn over the lease with former Muratti cap James Scott – the man behind the project.

The Jersey government is committed to developing a “master plan” for FB Fields and the eastern part of the island as part of its Inspiring Active Places strategy, released earlier this year.