Beachfront Self-Catering Conversion Recommended for Refusal

An official recommendation has been made to reject a planning application in Jersey. This application sought to transform a previously operating restaurant into self-catering lodging and has generated over 100 objection letters. Planning officers from the government have formally suggested that the Planning Committee deny the proposed change of use for the Nude Dunes restaurant, situated at La Pulente, St Brelade, which ceased operations in November 2023. In August, Nadia Miller, the owner, submitted a planning application requesting a partial alteration of use to establish a two-bedroom self-catering unit alongside a “scaled-down” beach cafe. The property had previously been advertised for sale by Le Rossignol Estates with an asking price of £2.2 million. During July, approximately 250 individuals convened at La Pulente to protest against what they termed “overdevelopment and privatisation.” Concurrently, the Infrastructure and Environment Department reported receiving 121 letters of representation concerning the proposal, comprising 114 objections and seven expressions of support. Among the objections raised was evidence indicating interest from various operators in maintaining the premises as a restaurant, as well as the proposal’s non-compliance with the planning policy outlined in the Bridging Island Plan. Further concerns were expressed about the potential impact on the bay’s character and the perception that the nature of the accommodation would restrict access to only the “privileged few.” Conversely, proponents of the application highlighted a shortage of holiday rental properties, the former restaurant’s diminished financial viability, and the necessity to provide La Pulente with a “boost.” Concurrently, planning documentation presented the owner’s rebuttal to the objections, asserting that the proposal would cause no additional harm to the structure, would maintain public toilet access, cited the failure of the prior business, and noted an absence of “realistic offers” from prospective purchasers. The owner stated, “The applicant should not be expected to accept an offer significantly below market value/rent for this type of building in this location.” The planning officer’s recommendation for refusal was based on planning policy considerations, specifically referencing the Bridging Island Plan. They indicated that evidence of third-party offers demonstrated that the premises were not redundant. Furthermore, the application was deemed not to be in the “wider community interest” and did not align with updated guidance stipulating that holiday lets should be considered exceptional, unless the existing employment use was redundant and they provided “environmental benefits.” The application did not satisfy this “high bar,” and the department characterized its non-compliance with the two primary policies of the Bridging Island Plan as “problematic.”