Minister seeks to scrap plans for 'basket case' Fort and proposes alternative idea - Jersey Evening Post
by Tom Innes · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Minister seeks to scrap plans for ‘basket case’ Fort and proposes alternative idea
by Tom Innes 22 May 202621 May 2026
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A sports and concert arena with a capacity of 1,500 people forms part of the proposed plans for Fort Regent. Picture: JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
PLANS to redevelop Fort Regent should be scrapped, a senior minister with ambitions to be part of Jersey’s next government has said.
At a Chamber of Commerce networking event for Senatorial candidates, Health Minister Tom Binet used the phrase “basket case” to describe the Fort and said the majority of the proposed government funding of £110 million for the project to refurbish it should be spent on facilities at other locations.
Deputy Binet was speaking the month after the Jersey Development Company outlined plans for the site – including lift access from Pier Road, a 1,500-capacity sport and concert arena, six-screen cinema, public event space and play/exercise facilities for children and young people.
Answering a question about whether it was realistic to progress the Fort project at the same time as a critical infrastructure scheme like the new hospital at Overdale, Deputy Binet said he did not believe it was.
“When I first got into politics, and became Infrastructure Minister [in July 2022], I was presented with the 17th review of Fort Regent, which cost a quarter of a million pounds,” he said.
“It said that with the casino, it could barely wash its face, and without it, it was going to be a basket case, even with the private sector involved.
“This might be controversial, but the Fort is a precious heritage item and I’d turn it back into one – it might cost £30 to 40m to turn it back, and I’d spend the rest of the [proposed £110 million funding] putting things, sports facilities and so on, where people need them.”
Deputy Binet was one of five Senatorial hopefuls to speak at the event. The make-up of the panel was determined through a poll of the 200 attendees, with ticket-holders invited to select their chosen quintet from the 17 candidates standing for Island-wide election on 7 June.
Other speakers also offered their views on Fort Regent. External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said: “The reality is we need a minimum level of investment to a) make it safe and b) make it usable once we’ve done that bit.
“Then we absolutely should have a private public partnership, [creating something] which is not just good for Islanders to visit on a rainy Saturday, but will attract tourists as well.”
Former Treasury Minister Alan Maclean said: “We shouldn’t be taking on debt to fund Fort Regent – it has to be a case of the building gets stabilised, and then a private public partnership delivers what the Island needs: the right leisure facilities that young people need, because [the current facilities] are woefully inadequate, and also facilities that are going to boost the tourism sector.”
Sir Mark Boleat, ex-political lead for the City of London, said “the Island should be ashamed the way it’s treated its assets”.
“I largely agree with Tom [Binet] about trying to do two things at once in restoring a historic fort and putting in things in that actually would not belong there – that’s a real challenge, but we’ve got to do the repair work and then let’s have a look at all of the options, using evidence and analysis,” he added.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham echoed his concerns.
“Actually, we should be a bit ashamed of the way we’ve neglected Fort Regent and other assets,” he said.
“To do nothing will cost tens of millions, and then there’s ongoing maintenance. The JDC are managing that process, with significant interest from major UK companies.
“Bearing in mind that we’re trying to keep young people here in Jersey, the best thing about this is the excitement and support coming from schools and young people about the project.”
The other 12 candidates for Senator who finished outside the top five selected by Chamber members were (in alphabetical order): Martin Aliga, Alan Breckon, Karl Busch, Guy De Faye, Serena Kersten, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Alan Le Pavoux, Deputy Steve Luce, Deputy Sam Mézec, Deputy Helen Miles, Deputy Elaine Millar and Bernard Place.
At the conclusion of the lunch at the Radisson Blu Hotel, attendees were asked to take part in a poll to say which one candidate they would choose, based on their answers during the event.
Sir Mark topped this poll, followed by Deputy Binet, Deputy Gorst and Mr Maclean, with Deputy Farnham finishing fifth.
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