Last summer, the States approved a grant of £3.57 million for the National Trust for Jersey to purchase the area for more than £7 million and begin its aim of returning the land to nature.
In September last year demolition of the old Pontins building began, which involved the removal of asbestos and tons of glass and rubble from the former tourist holiday camp.
Pictures released to the JEP in July showed the newly seeded grass slowly growing and the site starting to blend in with the surrounding headland.
And with the area continuing to return to its natural state, the Trust has confirmed that the project has entered its final stages and that a ceremony to mark the opening of the reserve, which could feature a well-known celebrity guest, will be staged in the coming months.
Jon Parkes, land manager at Plémont, said that the Trust was now beginning work on a focal point for the site, in addition to a large-scale planting scheme.
‘Things are progressing really well,’ he said.
‘It is hard to believe sometimes that it was only a year ago that we started the project.
‘We still have a number of things to do, but it does look like we will be officially opening the reserve in the spring.
‘Our volunteers will soon be planting lots of different species, which will include hawthorn, gorse, blackthorn, common broom and a couple of trees.
‘Rather than being a large garden, we want to encourage the land to establish in a natural way.
‘It’s very exposed up there so we are choosing plants that are well adapted to the conditions.
‘We are also working on creating a focal point for the site – something to acknowledge the donors who made the project possible.
‘We haven’t got any definite plans, but it will be something quite low-key and in keeping with the rest of the environment.’
Mr Parkes said that the Trust would be organising an official opening for the reserve, which could involve a well-known celebrity guest.
‘When we do open we would like to have someone there, but I can’t confirm anything at the moment,’ he said.
‘Once the gates are opened permanently, no areas will be off limits, but the habitats will take a while to fully establish.
‘This is a long-term project and it will take a number of years to get where we want it.’
1874: Developers build the Plémont Hotel at the site.
1930s: The hotel is demolished and replaced with the Jersey Jubilee Holiday Camp.
1946: Following the Occupation, the camp reopens as Parkin’s Luxury Holiday Camp.
1961: The camp is sold and remodelled, becoming Pontin’s Holiday Village and later Plémont Holiday Village, providing amenities for up to 400 holidaymakers.
1998: Developer Dandara applies to put 117 homes in the area. The then Senator Pierre Horsfall calls for the States to buy the land and return it to nature.
1999: Dandara’s application is refused.
2001: The site closes its doors as a tourist resort for good.
2002 to 2006: Various housing schemes are proposed,all rejected.
2005: Plémont Estates Ltd (landowner Trevor Hemmings’ company) buys the land for £4.85 million.
2006 to 2012: Various planning applications are made, with Mr Hemmings’ plans to put 28 homes on the land becoming the subject of a public planning inquiry.
2012: The Chief Minister lodges a proposal to buy the land for the public and sell it to the National Trust for Jersey. The Trust, meanwhile, launches a fresh campaign to save the land from development.
November 2012: Plans for the 28-home development are approved.
December 2012: Chief Minister Ian Gorst’s proposal to buy the land using States money is defeated by one vote.
2014: The National Trust for Jersey reveals it has reached a deal with the developer to buy the land for £7.15 million.
Summer 2014: The States approve Senator Sir Philip Bailhache’s proposition that asks the government to pay half of the agreed sale price, with the trust paying the rest.
September 2014: Demolition begins at the site.
2015: Demolition is completed.
