THE owner of the former Nude Dunes restaurant is appealing a decision to deny planning permission to proposals that would have seen the majority of the building converted into self-catering holiday accommodation – and is asking for the process to be “fast tracked” amid “public concern”.
The new application, from owner Nadia Miller, outlined plans to remodel the existing restaurant into a beach café, enclose the south-western terrace, and convert the majority of the building into a two-bedroom unit of self-catering holiday accommodation.
But it was unanimously refused by members of the government Planning Committee earlier this month.
Planning officer Lawrence Davies said the revised proposal was “broadly similar in many respects to the first application”, which was refused last year.
Outlining the reasons for refusal of the new application, Mr Davies explained: “The applicant has failed to demonstrate that there is no market demand for the continued use of the premises for its existing daytime and evening economy use.”
He also concluded that the proposed change to a new use that would be “less widely available to the general public” was “not considered to be in the wider community interest”.
But in a letter accompanying the appeal, Gary Palmer of local consultancy Island Planning said that the Nudes Dunes owner had provided “extensive and compelling” evidence that there is “no realistic or financially viable market demand exists for the continued use of the premises in their current configuration”.
“Despite comprehensive marketing over 18 months through multiple professional agents, no viable offers emerged, confirming the genuine lack of market demand,” he wrote.
He added that the the project deliver “substantial public and community benefits” by reopening an empty building, retaining employment opportunities, boosting tourism, and reinstating the public toilets.
Mr Palmer said that the application is “substantially different” from the previous iteration, with increased café seating provision.
He also asked for the appeal to be “fast-tracked” to avoid further delays and uncertainty about what will happen to the empty premises.
Mr Palmer claimed that the previous Nude Dunes appeal process was “protracted”, with the minister referring the appeal back to the inspector twice and taking 11 weeks to issue a decision.
He wrote: “The premises have remained vacant and unavailable for public use since November 2023, resulting in prolonged uncertainty and public concern.
“Prompt resolution of this appeal would directly serve the public interest, allowing a clear and timely decision regarding the future beneficial use of the site.”
Mr Palmer also requested for David Hainsworth – who recommended that permission be granted to a previous iteration of plans – to be reappointed as the project’s planning inspector.
“Given his detailed knowledge of both applications and his prior extensive involvement, appointing Mr Hainsworth again would ensure consistency, efficiency, and significant public cost savings, particularly given the complexity and history of the matters involved,” he wrote.
The planning committee’s refusal of a previous version of the plans for Nude Dunes saw hundreds of islanders attend a protest last summer to “show support for the protection of La Pulente and the wider coastline from privatisation and overdevelopment”.
