New proposals for the Waterfront development include an outdoor swimming pool and sauna, children's water play area, and a smaller cinema.

Les Jardins de La Mer is central to the Jersey Development Company's Phase 1 plans - unveiled today (6 Nov)- to revamp the area by 2030.

There will be an 'expansive lawn' with soft landscaping and a new children's water jet play area.

The outdoor swimming pool could have eight lanes, and be up to 50 metres long, sheltered by a mound with seating.

Other features include a new cinema, two blocks of flats, food and beverage areas, a sauna, a gym and changing rooms.

JDC concept photo of a children's waterpark

The Jersey Development Company's previous planning application for 984 new homes and leisure complex was rejected by the Planning Committee in September 2023 following a public inquiry.

READ: Waterfront plans refused

This time, JDC says it expects the new residential buildings to be eight storeys and smaller. This would make them shorter than the Horizon complex, which is 11 storeys tall.

There will also be fewer flats, at around 800 units eventually spread across approximately 13 buildings constructed over a 12-15 year period.

Following a States vote in June, at least half of any future residential properties the JDC puts on the Waterfront must be for first-time buyers and 'downsizers'.

READ: Half of future Waterfront homes must be affordable

In the last consultation, islanders told the JDC they wanted the cinema and AquaSplash to stay.  People also said they would like improved pedestrian access to and from town.

Jersey Development Company’s CEO Lee Henry says returns from residential and commercial aspects of the scheme must cover the costs of infrastructure, open spaces and amenities.

"The vision is to create a destination Waterfront that is well-designed and landscaped and offers activities for both the local community and visitors while providing new residential accommodation aimed at first-time buyers and right sizers."

JDC concept photo of a cinema

Phase 1 will have a 'Jersey-sized' cinema, as JDC believes the current 10-screen multiplex is too large. The company wants a more 'intimate' cinema experience with a 200-seat blockbuster screen.

The old cinema will stay open until the new one is fully functional.

Aquasplash will also remain unaffected, as islanders' main concern was preserving both venues.

JDC concept photo of a gallery

After the first phase is completed, the other phases will start.

Phase 2 will focus on creating a landscape bridge/walkway to connect town to the Waterfront, building two residential buildings, improving the underpass by making it pedestrianised and soft landscaping the main road.

The next two phases will include three residential buildings with gardens and pathways.

The final phase will consist of an art gallery and two more high-rise buildings.

JDC concept photo of a restobar

The ground floor of the residential buildings will have commercial units.

These will consist of primarily community-led initiatives and some new places for food and drinks.

Retail will be kept in town.

JDC concept photo

Islanders can see the new plans online and have their say in a survey from 6 November to 4 December.

A Waterfront Q&A session will also take place in mid-November which gives people the chance to ask about the plans.

From this, there will be more stakeholder engagement in March 2025, with a revised Planning Application for the first phase submitted by the end of April 2025.

JDC concept photo of an underpass