Jersey guard house kept in States hands after vote
A former military police station in Jersey's Royal Square will stay in government hands, after a vote in the States.
Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, had planned to sell the building but Deputy John Young called for a States vote.
Members voted 30-16 in favour of keeping the building in public ownership.
Deputy Young persuaded members it was an important part of Jersey's heritage.
Members also agreed that the building could be leased if the government is not able to find a suitable community use for it.
Deputy Young said: "The future of our tourism industry will require themed visits, themes of our heritage, our environment, fortifications and history.
"We are loaded with it but are we using it, exploiting it and turning those opportunities?
"No we are not. Here is an opportunity, a small building right in the heart of St Helier."
A plaque on the listed British guard house, which was built to help protect against French invasion, states it was used by military police until 1924.