Landing at sea
BUILDING an airport is a major task for any jurisdiction – as is moving an existing facility. But just over 30 years ago, there was serious debate on relocating Jersey’s airport to the south-east coast.
If such a move sounds strange, the details of the proposal were bordering on bizarre, as the authorities suggested flattening an area of La Rocque in St Clement to create an offshore runway.
Environmentalist Mike Stentiford remembers the public debate about the plans. ‘It was a completely outlandish suggestion that the airport be moved,’ he said. ‘It was suggested that this huge expanse, which is now a protected Ramsar site, be flattened out to make the perfect offshore runway. It was seriously considered as well, which was quite astonishing.
‘This was in the early 1980s. People were in shock that it was actually seriously considered. Fortunately, the plans didn’t get very far.’
Mont Orgueil marina
MONT Orgueil Castle stands as a lasting reminder of Jersey’s significant position when England was at war with France.
But just under ten years ago the Gorey Boat Owners Association put forward plans to create a multi-million-pound marina next to the castle, greatly extending space for vessels and increasing parking in the area.
Various versions of a horseshoe-shaped marina were considered in 2006, ranging in price from £10 million to up to £60 million, depending on what decisions were made.
Plans included space for 200 to 500 berths and facilities for a ferry to operate from the marina to and from France, as well as an option to enable cruise ships to dock offshore.
However, while the plans for a new marina, proposed for the southern side of the existing harbour wall, were welcomed by some traders in the area, heritage campaigners voiced concerns about the development’s impact on the historic setting of the castle.
Ultimately, the scheme was not taken forward.
The castle also narrowly avoided demolition at the start of the 17th century, thanks to Walter Raleigh, who was governor of the Island at the time.
He rejected plans to bring down Mont Orgueil, which was due to be superseded by the newer Elizabeth Castle, saying: ‘Twere pity to cast it down.’
Betting on the Fort
BUILDING a casino in Jersey has featured regularly on the States’ agenda over the past five decades.
And in 1965 the House found itself discussing plans to include a dedicated gambling facility as part of the redevelopment of Fort Regent.
At the time, Deputy Vernon Tomes – who went on to become Deputy Bailiff – championed an application by the Burley Group for plans which included a casino. However, following a debate on the proposals, the States rejected the scheme by 34 votes to 15.
Senator Ralph Vibert captured the thoughts of the rejecting majority when he asked: ‘Is there not a single member of the House who could be honestly ashamed to think that the government of Jersey should be in partnership with a gambling consortium?’
Reclaiming St Aubin
JERSEY’S ‘second town’ has been the subject of a number of proposals in recent years, and several plans to reclaim land next to the harbour have come and gone, stirring debate and controversy along the way.
In 2001 former Battrick’s Boatyard owner Wally Battrick suggested that a reclamation project would benefit the area, and in 2006 the States proposed a £200,000 report to determine whether part of St Aubin’s Bay should be filled in to provide extra parking.
Strong opposition to the plans led residents and concerned Islanders to form the St Aubin Anti-Reclamation Action Group to lobby the States and call for the cancellation of the reclamation report.
Those plans were shelved, but in 2010 a new scheme to build 100 homes, offices and a 600-space underground car park on reclaimed land in St Aubin’s Bay were championed by former Transport Minister Guy de Faye.
However, that project also prompted criticism from residents and Islanders and the plans were not advanced.
On course for change
THE former Pontin’s Holiday Camp site at Plémont has only just been restored to its natural wild state following years of debate and controversy.
Last year the National Trust for Jersey and the States bought the land from developers who had been given permission to build 28 homes there. But several schemes have been put forward for the beauty spot over the years, including a call for a world-class 18-hole golf course.
In 2006 the then Assistant Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean said that the Pontin’s site, or farmland in St Martin, could become the home of a new golf course designed by one of the sport’s top veterans.
Developing a new top-tier course, he said, could act as a magnet for visitors and help Jersey to compete in an increasingly difficult tourism market.
However, the call for a new course never became anything more than a suggestion.
Sparking controversy
RENEWABLE energy was at the heart of one radical suggestion which could have changed the views across Jersey’s south coast for ever.
In 2009 Brian Le Fondré proposed building a huge horseshoe-shaped tidal barrage in St Aubin’s Bay to generate electricity for the Island.
The 26-metre-high structure was said to carry a cost of between £800 million and £1 billion.
The scheme would have also provided space for a dual carriageway on top, potentially linking Noirmont to St Helier over the water.
Under the plans, it was also suggested that the barrage’s outer wall could provide an area for cruise ships to dock in deep water, but like many other schemes, the plans were not developed.
