Senator Lyndon Farnham, who is leading the political oversight group for the new hospital, said work on the next stage had already begun after States Members approved the access route at a special sitting on Monday.
The minister said that details of the design would provide ‘much-needed clarity’ for stakeholders, and would be shared before a full planning application was submitted by November.
That application is due to include both the hospital and a revamped Westmount Road for access.
The planning process is expected to take up to 26 weeks, and will include a public inquiry, before a decision is reached by April or May 2022, Senator Farnham added.
Following criticism of ministers during Monday’s debate regarding the way that communication about the project had been handled, Senator Farnham pledged that more would be done in future.
‘Sharing details is an absolute priority and will enable us to have more detailed consultation and engagement,’ he said. ‘We want to build confidence in the whole project and are pleased that the States’ decision has released the resources to do this.’
A detailed timeline for the next stages of the project is expected to be published over the next week.
Senator Farnham said an interim report featuring designs and plans would be shared with States Members and the public.
Assessment work will also take place covering the impact of the project in a range of fields, including environmental, ecological, heritage, economic, social and transport.
The detailed design is likely to be influenced by the views expressed by residents, other Islanders, States Members and the Future Hospital Review panel, Senator Farnham said.
‘The decision on the access route didn’t relate to specific options and there is still scope to potentially blend different options – that’s work the designers are now getting on with,’ he said.
Reacting to news that a parish assembly may be called in St Helier to discuss the project, Senator Farnham said he hoped that the project team and the parish would be able to reach a ‘sensible compromise’.
‘The meeting is a matter for the parish and, depending on the outcome, we will deal with any ramifications that arise,’ he added.
