Two children's homes to be set up on hospital site

Two properties purchased as part of a hospital project will be turned into children's homes, a minister has said.

The Government of Jersey bought 12 homes in the St Helier area five years ago as part of its hospital redevelopment project.

Officials had planned on demolishing the buildings, but after planning revisions the site was scaled down, meaning there was no longer a need to remove them.

Minister for Infrastructure Jonathan Renouf said Westmount House and Berkeley Rise would become children's homes when the hospital is finished.

Renouf said the properties would be used until they were needed for other uses relating to the new hospital.

The government said the other properties that have not been demolished would be "used in a way that delivers best value for the public of the island".

It has spent £204m on the hospital project since plans were first developed in 2012.

Health Minister Tom Binet signed a £710m contract to build the new hospital before work to review the deal had finished.

The deal was agreed with construction firm Bouygues UK before June's general election.

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