Plans unveiled for a new sustainable residential scheme and public spaces in St Helier, Jersey

A public consultation showcasing transformative proposals for South Hill in St Helier has been launched today by Jersey Development Company (JDC). The plans include a sustainable residential scheme and the significant enhancement of South Hill’s surrounding green areas.

In January 2021, Gillespies was commissioned by the JDC to provide landscape design services for South Hill. The innovative landscape-led scheme, won in competition by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, aims to create a unique layered architectural expression firmly rooted in the historic granite quarry setting, taking full advantage of sweeping views across the harbour to the nearby tidal island of Elizabeth Castle. The landscape narrative has taken similar inspiration from the quarry and the surrounding tree cover of Mount Bingham, referencing the subtractive man-made patterns found in the dramatic rock face to shape the ground plane into a series of outdoor rooms for use by the residents within a partially enclosed courtyard.

The design for South Hill aims to restore and rehabilitate the local ecosystem – healing the land with measures to provide a net gain in biodiversity. The design will create stepping stones for wildlife, providing a network of living roofs and green spaces to form local habitats and green corridors connecting the wider landscape. Rainwater will be captured to nourish the planting, with species selected for their drought tolerance and ability to cope with the coastal conditions along this exposed outcrop of land.

Another part of Gillespies involvement in the immediate area includes re-habilitating the adjacent public play park. The team is creating a play competition document as part of the public consultation to help children under 12 years old learn about their environment and help design their dream park. The JDC want children to actively get involved as part of their school or as individuals to help redesign the local South Hill park, and Gillespies has created downloadable documents and a map on the JDC website.

The South Hill proposals can be viewed in more detail with an opportunity to contribute and offer feedback at www.southhilldevelopment.je. The consultation will close on 14 May. JDC is expecting to submit a planning application later in the year.

Images courtesy of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios / Jersey Development Company