St Helena’s new broadcasting corporation will able to blossom after winning approval to set up its studios in the Castle Gardens in Jamestown – despite objections.
The plan was approved by executive councillors on the very eve of the launch of the group’s first venture, the St Helena Sentinel newspaper.
Shelco has also won final clearance for a tourist development at Broad Bottom.
The news was announced by Governor Mark Capes in his executive council report for 29 March 2012:
“We… considered a development application for conversion of the former Audit Office in Castle Gardens to be a media building to house the new community owned radio station due to begin operations in a few months.
“Plans originally submitted were deemed unsuitable. New plans were presented which Councillors agreed were more in tune with the structure and the surrounding area.
“While noting the objections that had been received from various individuals, EXCO took the view that the adjustments to the building would ensure the viability of the structure for many years while fitting well with the Castle Gardens setting.
“Our final paper today looked at further revision and refinement of the Memorandum of Agreement signed with SHELCO in 2008 for a tourism development at Broad Bottom. These minor adjustments to ensure compliance with the relevant ordinances were all approved.”