RUXLEY, LONGUEVILLE ROAD, ST. SAVIOUR: PURCHASE
_______________
Lodged
au Greffe on 8th October 2002
by
the Home Affairs Committee
______________________________
STATES OF JERSEY
STATES
GREFFE
|
150 |
2002 |
P.178 |
Price code: B
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide
whether they are of opinion -
(a) to authorise the purchase from Mr. Andrew
Alistair Colquhoun and Mrs. Margaret Kennedy Colquhoun, née Guild, of the
property known as Ruxley, Longueville Road, St. Saviour (shown on Drawing
No. 1916/02/48) for the sum of £315,000, with each party being responsible
for its own legal fees, and to authorise the Greffier of the States to sign the
said drawing on their behalf;
(b) to authorise the Attorney General and the
Greffier of the States to pass, on behalf of the public, any contracts which it
might be found necessary to pass in connection with the said property and any
interest therein;
(c) to authorise the payment or discharge of expenses
to be incurred in connection with the acquisition of the said property and any
interest therein from the Planning and Environment Committee’s vote of credit
“Acquisition of Land - Major Reserve” (Vote C0904).
HOME
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Notes: 1. The Planning and
Environment Committee supports the proposition. The bungalow known as Gorseland
was purchased on behalf of the public by the Planning and Environment Committee
in 1993 for £214,000 as part of the acquisition of 120 vergèes of heath land
and 10 vergèes of agricultural land, which is now a site of special interest.
Originally leased to the Defence Committee the bungalow was refurbished for use
by U.K. Officers posted to serve with the Jersey Field Squadron at a cost of
£69,324. In 1996 the property was transferred into the administration of the
Defence Committee (now the Home Affairs Committee).
The
Committee believes that the purchase of Ruxley for the further accommodation
needs of the Jersey Field Squadron and the eventual sale of the more valuable
Gorseland property are financially sensible.
2. The Finance and Economics Committee supports
the purchase of Ruxley, Longueville Road, St. Saviour for use by the Jersey
Field Squadron on condition that the property currently used for this purpose
(Gorseland, La Rue de la Corbière, St. Brelade) is sold in order to reimburse
the funds used for this acquisition.
Report
The Home Affairs
Committee administers the property known as Gorseland, La Rue de la Corbiere,
St. Brelade currently occupied by a serviceman, seconded from the U.K. to the
Jersey Field Squadron, and his family. There is a commitment to provide
suitable accommodation for up to four service personnel.
The property was
originally acquired in 1993 by the Planning and Environment Committee on behalf
of the public as part of the purchase of 120 vergèes of heathland which is now
managed by the Environmental Services Unit for the benefit of the public. The
bungalow was later transferred to the Defence Committee in 1996.
The suitability
of Gorseland has been questioned by the Jersey Field Squadron and officers of
the Home Affairs Committee. The future releasing of funds is supported by the
Department of Property Services due to the unnecessarily large size, remote
location and high maintenance costs of Gorseland. The Department of Property
Services has indicated that the property should achieve an open market price in
excess £575,000.
A suitable
replacement property has been identified as Ruxley, Longueville Road, St.
Saviour. This property provides flexible family accommodation in a central
location on a good access route to the Jersey Field Squadron Headquarters at
Mount Bingham and local schools.
The 1930s semi-detached
property comprises three bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen, conservatory,
bathroom, large private garden and a large garage with extra parking. Other
facilities include double glazing and oil fired central heating together with a
separate storeroom with shower room which could be utilised as a fourth
bedroom.
Terms and conditions
have now been agreed, subject to States’ approval and survey, with the owners
of the property, Mr. Andrew Alistair Colquhoun and Mrs. Margaret Kennedy
Colquhoun née Guild, for the purchase of the freehold of the property known as
Ruxley, Longueville Road, St. Saviour for the sum of £315,000 to include
carpets, curtains and light fittings. The Department of Property Service fully
supports the acquisition of this property for the housing of servicemen on the
basis that it allows the Home Affairs Committee to fulfil its operational requirements
at a saving to the public purse.
It is intended
that the funding to support this purchase will be met from the Planning and
Environment Committee’s Vote of Credit C0904 “Acquisition of Land - Major
Reserve”.
It is proposed
that, with the approval of the Finance and Economics Committee arrangements
will be made for the sale of Gorseland, with the equivalent proportion of the
capital receipt being returned to the Vote of Credit C0904 to reimburse the
amount used to acquire Ruxley.
There are no manpower
implications in acquiring this property and the revenue cost of servicing the
property has been allowed for within the Home Affairs Committee budget.