A HISTORIC building in St Aubin could have its attic converted into self-catering tourist accommodation, if a planning application by the St Brelade Constable is approved.
Mike Jackson, of Jackson Yacht Services, cited the decline of the boat-repair industry for his decision to apply to convert the second floor of the building’s commercial sail loft into a two-bedroom self-catering flat with a Juliette balcony.
Mr Jackson said this move would “ensure the continuity” of his boat-servicing business, but that he had no intention of putting the entire premises – or the business itself – on the market.
The application comes weeks after another planning application in the parish caused hundreds of Islanders to protest. People gathered at La Pulente in July to demonstrate over plans to turn the former Nude Dunes restaurant site into self-catering tourist accommodation.
Asked by the JEP whether he expected similar public concern to that generated in response to other conversions to tourist accommodation, Mr Jackson said he had not yet encountered any.
“I’m sure people will make representations to the Planning Department and the department will consider it, but nothing has come to me at this point,” he said.
He continued: “The market is dictating this to a certain extent, with such a loss of hotel beds over the past few years that there is a need for beds for tourists. Hopefully this will accommodate that.”
He added that there was no intention to turn the entire building into residential use because there was no parking.
The design statement says that the sail-repair business currently occupies the attic workshop but is under-utilised because it “no longer has an active client base and can no longer source the specialist labour needed to sustain the business”.
A “more limited” version of the business would operate on the floors below, if plans are approved.
The statement said the conversion would create “another income stream” and followed the conversion to self-catered accommodation that is currently under way in the adjoining St Aubin Arts Gallery.
Mr Jackson is also hoping to use this opportunity to renovate the building to reactivate lapsed planning consent to upgrade all windows and external doors.
The statement added that a “light-hand approach” would be adopted, with most of the renovation work happening to the interior.
It noted: “Self-catering units do generate an income for their owners and, in turn, for the Island as a whole. They actually serve to bring in ‘new money’ from outside the Island and do not merely recirculate money which is already present.
“There are also secondary-spend benefits to be gained by the self-catering unit, which will contribute appropriately to the vibrancy of St Aubin and its various commercial outlets and evening economy.”
Mr Jackson, who is also chair of the Constables’ Committee, said the rental income from the converted sail loft would “ensure the continuity of the business”.
He added: “We’re not ceasing the boat-servicing business, but we need to re-jig the building to make it and the wonderful location of use to us.”
