Application to remove public art requirement at sports facility withdrawn

THE government has withdrawn an application to remove the requirement for all developments to include a piece of public art from the new Oakfield sports hall.

Despite a requirement for all new developments to spend 1% of their budget on art, the government last month applied to have this requirement lifted on the new Oakfield sports hall.

Work on the site was allowed to start on the building on condition that developers add a Percentage For Art proposal later, but a planning application submitted in June by Morris Architects on behalf of government asked for the requirement to be dropped fully.

In a letter submitted to planning, Morris Architects practice director Peter Garforth argued on behalf of government that the sport’s hall’s “primary function” means that public art would be out of place.

He added: “The inclusion of public art may inadvertently encourage unnecessary visits or loitering around the facility during the school day, which could raise safeguarding concerns.”

The application attracted over 20 public comments, including from Waddington Architects owner Mike Waddington and ArtHouse Jersey associate producer Natasha Dettman.

Mr Waddington wrote: “It is hard to understand why the Government of Jersey wishes to remove a Planning Condition which is a policy requirement set by the Government of Jersey itself? The justifications seems quite contrived.”

Mrs Dettman wrote: “I’m perplexed by the arguments given by the architect as to why a public artwork would present a safety issue.”

She added: “A carefully selected and commissioned artwork in consultation with the users of the building and the local residents who will live with it, could add real benefit to this building a local environment.”

In a letter dated 17 July, Mr Garforth confirmed the formal withdrawal of the application to remove the percentage for art condition on behalf of the government.

He wrote: “On behalf of our client, we write to formally withdraw the above planning application currently under consideration.

“Our client now intends to submit a proposal to satisfy the percentage for art condition which will be issued separately for consideration.

“We trust this is in order, and we would be grateful fi you could confirm the withdrawal of the application from your records.”

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