A CONTENTIOUS planning application for La Haule is due to be considered by the Planning Committee this week – but this one has nothing to do with railings.
A local developer, Gordon Troy, has applied for permission to erect a small beach kiosk next to the dual toilet blocks 270m north-east of the slip.
The site is just a few metres away from the section of sea wall where the Infrastructure Department has tried – and failed – three times to have railings installed to protect walkers and cyclists from falling onto the beach below.
Planning has rejected Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan’s plans on three occasions and the JEP reported recently that the minister was considering pushing through the railings project without planning permission in the interests of public safety.
Planners have recommended that Mr Troy’s application is also rejected, arguing that as a new structure in a protected area, it goes against the principles of the Bridging Island Plan.
In his application for a beach kiosk, Mr Troy cites the success of kiosks at La Rocque and Le Hocq, the Hungry Man at Rozel, and Rhona’s at the Beach at Gorey, all of which are located in the Island’s protected coastal area. The La Haule kiosk would be open from 8am to 8pm daily.
He also says that with food and beverage options key to Jersey’s tourism strategy, a kiosk would provide more options for both Islanders and tourists using the beach.
Nine of the public responses to Mr Troy’s scheme have been in support, with 11 against. Those objecting complained that there were two beach kiosks within walking distance, the Gunsite Café and at the slip.
One objection raised the concern that the site was already congested with walkers and that the cycle paths were dangerous for pedestrians. “Often you have to be quick as cyclists appear quickly from both directions,” it says.
Another says: “Bearing in mind that there is a café less than 100 metres away, the need for this is not clear. The walking area in front of the existing toilets is already limited and will only create more issues. This seems a needless development of an already busy and hazardous area.”
But those speaking in favour of the application noted that there was ample parking near the kiosk, and that the cycle path passes behind the building, reducing the chances of an accident. Disability campaigners Enable Jersey also supported the project because of its accessibility for wheelchairs.
In their report, planners say: “The proposed kiosk will be a permanent structure, which does not utilise an existing building or structure [and] does not protect or improve the character and distinctiveness of the Protected Coastal Area, due to the removal of green infrastructure and an absence of compensatory biodiversity enhancements.
“Given the safety risks identified and concerns regarding potential conflicts between promenade users, the proposals are considered to exacerbate existing transport safety issues in the area.”
