Minister rejects plans for restaurant site

An inspector said the unused restaurant cannot be converted into a holiday home

Plans for a former seaside restaurant to be converted into self-catering accommodation have again been turned down.

Jersey Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce dismissed an appeal after the latest plans for Nude Food Dunes in St Ouen's Bay, which has been unused as a restaurant since it closed in late 2023, were refused.

Initial plans for self-catering holiday accommodation were rejected last year and revised plans were also turned down earlier this year due to concerns about the impact on the landscape.

In planning documents, planning inspector Nigel McGurk said any development which "detracts from the appeal of its location cannot be considered a positive contribution".

He said there was a "clear" demand for the site to be used for catering.

"The proposed replacement of a restaurant with the holiday let element of the proposal would represent a change of use away from a daytime and evening economy use," he said.

The proposals were for a two-bedroom holiday home, with an enclosed terrace for a cafe seating area, while the public toilets would also be reopened.

The applicant said the plans would support tourism and generate income, while supporting the community with a cafe and reopening public toilets.

Deputy Luce agreed the plans would cause "significant harm" to the character of the Coastal National Park.

The applicant's agent, J Design Limited, was contacted for comment.