Lee Henry's replies on the Waterfront Development

Recently Lee Henry (of the States of Jersey Development Company) has been posting some information on Facebook and hence in the public domain. 

As Facebook has an annoying habit of retaining information, but gradually sinking it out of view on the Timeline, I thought it would be useful to have this reposted here on my blog as a reference source.

I would comment that tests on the contamination are mentioned, but no details are given here of what tests, what is tested for, and which professionals are doing the testing. When I find that out, I'll post further on the subject.  And nor can I find the original assessment for the site, which if it appears as one of the many planning documents, is not clearly visible.

Lee Henry on the Waterfront Development

Treating Contamination

To clarify - No excavations are currently being undertaken below surface. Top soil has been removed from the flower beds and stock piled. This was the dust that blew around last week. There are various monitors onsite that are monitored daily, independently reviewed weekly and audited on a monthly basis. Further monitors are being installed just outside of the site that automatically informal the Health and Safety Inspector by text message if the readings go above a certain level. If they do, a site visit will immediately follow.

Previous projects in Jersey, for example, Castle Quay, which was developed by a private company, had a contamination level assessed in excess of 20%, which is much higher than that currently assessed on the Esplanade car park area did not undertake the level of precautions currently being undertaken by JDC and its contractor and the site was not closed down. Our tests to date have revealed contamination of only 4%. The works being undertaken at the moment is to carry out further tests, which will determine what ground will be removed and dumped in the sealed pits at La Collette. The procedures for removal is being undertaken in accordance with Best UK practice.

Removal of Sea Wall

The sea wall is being numbered and carefully stored for the time being, before being reinstated in its previous position later on in the development. There will be sections that are not being reinstated due to openings for access to the area, however the granite that is not being replaced will be used in the community and landscaped areas of the development. All works to the sea wall are being overseen by MOLA (The Museum of London Archaeology).

The planning conditions stipulated that an archaeology study had to be undertaken in accordance with HE1, HE5 and BE2 of the Island Plan. In summary, an appropriately qualified archaeologist had to be appointed and therefore, ALL works to the sea wall are being overseen by MOLA. This includes numbering the stones and ensuring they are removed carefully and removed from site and stored without the risk of damage.

The MOLA costs are included as part of our main contractor's contract sum. I can't give you a specific figure as this is confidential information, however it has been released to Scrutiny and their advisors under confidentiality agreements.

We are following all the procedures as agreed with Environmental Health. If they felt that we needed to have a Safety Inspector onsite at all times, alongside all of the precautions we have put in place, then I presume they would have done so as part of the agreed safety procedures.

Parking

The 43 parking spaces under Building 4 will be for the office staff only. However, there will also be 525 public parking spaces, available for use throughout the construction. These spaces will be replaced with the underground carpark under the public park, after its construction.