THE government could be forced to negotiate the purchase of a development site in a popular Jersey bay to make it accessible to the public again, if a proposal from a backbench politician succeeds.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham yesterday lodged a proposition requesting that Treasury Minister Ian Gorst – in consultation with Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet – negotiate on behalf of the States to purchase the former Seaside Café and car park site at Grève de Lecq ‘for a use that will be of benefit to the public’.
In January last year, plans were approved to redevelop the site – sold by the Lewis family in 2020 – with a four-bedroom home and 100-seat eatery.
Further plans including a swimming pool, hot tub, home gym and cinema room were given permission later that year.
The proposals also involve the restoration of duneland as well as the removal of most of the car park spaces.
The scheme is listed as available on the website of estate agents Wilsons Knight Frank, with approved plans for offers over £5 million – and over £11 million for the completed development.
Deputy Farnham noted that the site had been cordoned off and ‘appears to be in limbo’.
‘It looks almost derelict now.
‘The last thing we want is to lose one of our most iconic and popular bays to a development – the States must secure it for Jersey,’ he added.
‘I realise that it would cost a significant amount but it would be a wise investment for the Island and the States Assembly needs to put itself in a position where it can make a decision.
‘This proposition seeks to facilitate a negotiation that will lead to the purchase, by the States of Jersey, of the café and car park site for a use that will be of benefit to the public.’
National Trust for Jersey chief executive Charles Alluto said: ‘We welcome [Deputy Farnham’s] proposition upon the basis that the National Trust is committed to protecting the Island’s coastline and ensuring that Islanders can enjoy the coastline, which is crucial for their wellbeing.
‘We did object to the previous application as [the trust] had concerns about safeguarding public access.’
John Vautier of Colleen’s Café at Grève de Lecq said customers were ‘still turning up’ but added that he supported Deputy Farnham’s proposition.
‘It’s about the future of the bay,’ he continued.
‘The car park and access to the beach is the most important part of the site.
‘It would bother me if it turned into a private residence, as that would be a loss for the Island – and once it’s gone, it’s gone.’
St Mary Constable David Johnson last year said that he was concerned Islanders might be put off visiting the area, and that it ‘would have been nice if the States had stepped in to see if they could negotiate [for the site]’.
Speaking to the JEP yesterday, he said he ‘appreciated the private nature’ of the development but stressed that Grève de Lecq ‘belongs to everyone’.
Deputy Farnham’s proposition also asked that a negotiated price be brought before the Assembly for approval prior to completing the proposed purchase.
