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MAJOR plans for two hotels – Strive and Millbrook House – dominate the agenda of Thursday’s Planning Committee meeting, where politicians will decide if these bids for development go ahead. The outline application for Strive in St Peter is to build a 179-room hotel with conference centre, spa and swimming pool on land between the existing health club and the next-door rugby club. Proponents say this is a crucial multi-million investment in Jersey’s struggling hospitality sector. Critics agree but argue that proposed building to too large for the site, which in the green zone. The Planning Department is recommending that the application is refused, based on – among other things – a judgment that it would have a “harmful impact on the character of the countryside”. The committee – a group of politicians who each vote on whether an application is approved or rejected – is under no obligation to accept the planning officer’s recommendation. At the same meeting, the committee will also rule on updated plans to bring a disused Millbrook hotel back to life. In 2021, local gallery owner Lance Trevellyan proposed a major transformation of the former Millbrook House Hotel into a five-star art-themed establishment, spa and cookery school. Despite getting permission that year, Mr Trevellyan – who bought the Jersey War Tunnels in March – was forced to put his plans on hold, after post-Covid delays and increases in local construction costs rendered the previous scheme financially unviable. But instead of abandoning efforts to introduce “a new £29 million, five-star hotel” to the Island, a revised application is now before the committee. Unlike Strive’s application, the Planning Department is recommending approval. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the Government building in Union Street, beginning at 9.30 am.
