It is impossible to put a price on this heritage

From John Mesch, Council for the Protection of Jerseys Heritage.

IT never ceases to surprise me that States representatives with good Jersey names, such as Deputy Gerard Baudains (JEP, 30 July), do not understand what makes up their cultural heritage and why they have both a moral and legal obligation to safeguard it for future generations.

In describing the coast from L’Etacq to Plémont, Dr John Renouf, our noted geologist/archaeologist, has written: ‘There is no comparable stretch of coastal cliff in the Channel Islands, in Brittany, in Normandy or in south-west England that can claim such a range of geological, archaeological, historical, natural historical and other features as this area of cliff and heath in Jersey.’

The Line in the Sand’ demonstration was clear evidence that many Islanders thought it should be unthinkable that this remarkable stretch of coast should be permanently destroyed by having an expensive 28-house estate built on it.

The plan is to extend the access road, create new paths across managed grassland and plant many trees that will be alien to this heathland area. The claim that two-thirds of the site will be open to access by the public is disingenuous in the extreme. Who will wish to take a Sunday afternoon stroll through a smart, newly built piece of suburbia?

It will be surprising indeed if the public inquiry inspector finds that building no fewer than 16 of the new houses on previously undeveloped land in the green zone is permissible under our present planning law. In this highly protected zone ‘there is a presumption against any new development for whatever purpose’.

Deputy Baudains is correct in expressing the opinion that the owner could restore the present derelict holiday-camp buildings.

The Council has invited the public inquiry inspector to consider recommending the issuing of an order, in accordance with Article 84 of the Planning Law, to either repair or remove the derelict buildings within a reasonable timeframe. They have been in decay now for more than 11 years. How much longer do we have to suffer this dreadful blot on what should be a beautiful and natural landscape?

As soon as the inspector’s judgement is known it should be possible for the States to negotiate a reasonable valuation of the site. This will allow the National Trust for Jersey, in co-operation with the States, to purchase the site for the public at a reasonable cost.

We are certain that, in these circumstances, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, will be able to obtain sufficient States’ support for his planned proposition. As outstanding cultural heritage, the Plémont headland is absolutely priceless. It must be saved from any further development.