Gas Works site will remain as it is for now, as politicians reject the idea of turning it into a temporary space for teenagers.
Only six States members agreed with Deputy David Warr's idea to create a 'meantime' space for children, whilst the government continues to plan a new primary school for the area.
READ: Alternative use for gas site could include indoor skatepark and pump track
Deputy Philip Ozouf was sceptical whether anything would ever be built on the site.
"Is the school on Gas Site going to happen? If so, where's the money?
"If it isn't in the next three or four years, then the 'meanwhile use' is really important because we don't want another situation.
"What a mess, what an embarrassment."
Deputy David Warr says not using the brownfield site now, whilst plans are being developed, is an incredible waste of resources.
"(To the) Sustainable Economic Minister: If we have fitter and healthier kids, that's a more productive workforce.
"(To the) Treasury Minister: If we have fitter and healthier young people, that saves millions on your budget.
"Everyone wins."
Gas Works site in St Helier
Education Minister Rob Ward wants to acquire the former Gas Works site to create a new school in the centre of St Helier, which he says could mean spades hitting the ground as soon as 2026.
"Not every site, and not every moment, is appropriate for meantime use, and we must be careful when imagining because something works in theory [it doesn't mean] it therefore works in practice.
"Who will fund the project? And how much will it cost? Is it going to be free to users? Who staffs it? Who takes care of the health and safety issues that come with it?
"There is an election next year, and we have no idea what will happen after it.
"It is so important that we first get the land, which we are very close to detailing and will be discussing this week, and then planning permission, and then work can start early next year.
"It has to be in place and ready to go before the next election, Otherwise, it will become (like the) new hospital project and be delayed, and delayed, so we need to take action now."
30 States members voted against Deputy Warr's suggestion.
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