Beachside self-catering flagged for refusal

The owner applied for planning permission after first listing the shuttered premises

A planning application to convert a former restaurant in Jersey into self-catering accommodation has been recommended for refusal after sparking more than 100 letters of objection.

Government planning officers have formally advised that the Planning Committee refuse the conversion of Nude Dunes restaurant at La Pulente, St Brelade - which closed in November 2023.

Owner Nadia Miller applied for planning permission in August for a partial change of use to a two-bedroom self-catering property with a "scaled-down" beach cafe.

The building had previously been listed by Le Rossignol Estates for £2.2m.

In July islanders gathered to demonstrate over overdevelopment and privatisation

In July, about 250 people gathered at La Pulente to demonstrate against "overdevelopment and privatisation".

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure and Environment Department received 121 letters of representation, it said - 114 objecting and seven in support.

Objections included a cited evidence of interest from operators to continue running the premises as a restaurant and the proposal's lack of adherence to planning policy for the Bridging Island Plan.

There were also objections regarding the impact on the character of the bay while the nature of the premises would reserve it only for the "privileged few".

Those in support of the application pointed to a lack of holiday lets, the lost financial viability of the restaurant and the need to give La Pulente a "boost".

Meanwhile, planning documents outlined the owner's response to objections, detailing no additional harm to the building, public toilet access, the failure of the previous business and a lack of "realistic offers" from potential buyers.

"The applicant should not be expected to accept an offer significantly below market value/rent for this type of building in this location," the owner said.

'Environmental benefits'

The planning officer recommended refusal on planning policy grounds, with reference to the Bridging Island Plan.

They said evidence of third party offers showed the premises was not redundant.

Meanwhile, the application was not in the "wider community interest" and did not meet new guidance that holiday lets should be an exception unless the current employment use was redundant and they brought "environmental benefits".

The application failed to meet this "high bar" while the department described as "problematic" the application's failure to comply with the two key policies of the Bridging Island Plan.