Bid To Stop Loss Of More Bay Hotels 'Counter-Productive'

An attempt to stop hotels and other visitor accommodation from being converted into other uses in St Brelade's Bay has been rejected.

154 visitor beds have been lost in the Bay in the last three years - and St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson says he lodged the proposal to 'enhance the provision of visitor accommodation' in the Bay.

"It is an important part of the island's economy. We've seen hotels falling away significantly and I'm keen that doesn't continue."

But while many politicians said they understood the Constable's sentiment, they claimed his plan would actually be counter-productive.

Constable Marcus Troy says he couldn't allow a situation where an owner's hands are tied if a hotel becomes unviable.

"I do realise that St Brelade's is one of the jewels in the crown. Hospitality is polarised to Gorey, St Helier, and St Brelade. We do need those hotel beds.

From my point of view, I think the hotels in St Brelade's are pretty viable because of the beautiful location there, but as far as tying the hands to hoteliers and not allowing them to get out when the time is right, I can't agree with it."

The Bridging Island Plan sets out that any proposals 'which contribute to the quality and range of Jersey’s visitor accommodation offer' will be encouraged.

Constable Jackson says there have to be ways to stop 'an eternal decline in hotel bed provision'.

There are currently six establishments in St Brelade's Bay offering accommodation to visitors.

They are:

• St. Brelade’s Bay Hotel - 158 beds
• Amani (self-catering units) - 9 Units (35 beds)
• Golden Sands - 136 beds
• Beau Rivage - 58 beds
• L’Horizon - 206 beds
• Biarritz - 84 beds

Senator Sam Mézec says he's fearing that the States is 'sleepwalking into developing an Island Plan which fails to protect all that is special about Jersey'.

His Reform Jersey colleague, St Brelade Deputy Montfort Tadier, told fellow States members that he was 'bemused' by the strong opposition to the proposition, while Deputy Mike Higgins says while it may not be the very best proposition, it's the best they've got in the absence of a policy to stop hotels from being lost.

Deputy David Johnson says it would be unnecessary and feared it would be counter-productive.

Deputy Kirsten Morel and Senator Gorst were two of many States members to say Constable Jackson's idea was well-intentioned.

The External Relations Minister says he feared it would potentially hasten hoteliers leaving the Jersey marketplace, which is the opposite of what the Constable of St Brelade was hoping to do.

"They're not going to be able to then use those assets for residential because the planning restrictions would be onerous in this particular way.

So they then have a choice of either selling a distressed asset at below previous market value or sitting on the property in vacant form until there is a change of policy and people become so frustrated with the vacant eyesore that they allow a different planning use."

The Assistant Economic Development Minister echoed Senator Gorst's comments.

"At the end of the day, a distressed asset will be sitting there, the people who own it or the bank which is taking possession of it will be trying to sell it on and they won't be able to.

You then end up with a redundant building in St Brelade's Bay which slowly falls apart and decays because it's unable to be sold on because it is unable to work as a business."

The amendment to the Bridging Island Plan was turned down by 27 votes to 14.

The States has also agreed to extend the St Brelade's Bay green zone to include part of the built-up area above Ouaisne.

The zone is aimed at making sure developments don't negatively affect the bay's views and public enjoyment of them.

The BIP plan debate continues.