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THE public are being asked for their views on plans to build 12 self-catered units of tourist accommodation on the site of the former Milano Bars in St Ouen’s Bay. Since its demolition in 1996, the former hotel and restaurant at L’Etacq has been a privately owned but free-to-the-public car park. The site was once owned by pub and property firm Le Masurier, who gained permission in 1996 for a hotel and restaurant, with maximum occupancy of 163 people and 71 car parking spaces. This permission remains live, with all the conditions discharged and no deadline for when work should start. The tarmacked open space alongside the beach – which has become particularly popular with motorhome owners and drivers who want to enjoy the beach while not straying far from their car – is now under the ownership of a local businessman. His plans are in early stages of development, which includes inviting Islanders, particularly residents in the area, to a public consultation at St Ouen’s Parish Hall this Wednesday between 5 pm and 7 pm. Letters have also been sent to 80 households and pre-application discussions have taken place with Planning, the Jersey Architecture Commission and other stakeholders, including the National Trust. The letter explains: “With the recent publicity around re-energising Jersey’s tourist offer, there is current interest in delivering the approved scheme, but the changing market, and the recent evolutions in planning policy around characterful and contextual development has led to an alternative option being considered. “Having obtained constructive pre-application advice from the Planning Department and the valuable input of the JAC, we have also taken the opportunity to reconsider the physical form of the proposals. “The alternative would comprise 12 self-catering units and is illustrated on the attachments with this letter.” It adds: “There would be no restaurant and a much-reduced potential maximum occupancy of circa 57 people, with reduced parking of just 24 spaces. This has the benefit of being a much lower intensity of use, yet delivering the same commercial package, with reduced environmental footprint. “The evolved proposals remove the dominant mass from the shoreline, and present a more traditional form, akin to the farmsteads found in the low-lying agricultural landscape of the bay. “Ridge heights are reduced, the mass is fragmented, materials are relevant and robust, and a vernacular composition is better settled in its context. The buildings will all be set in a landscape, designed to rewild the site and support ecological enhancements.” The letter lists key benefits of the self-catered scheme has being fewer cars, reduced traffic and less noise, “significantly reduced visual and landscape impact” and “wider public benefit” through “new sustainable facilities and a re-profiled tourist offering contributing to Jersey’s strategic tourism goals”. The site sits within Jersey’s Coastal National Park, a planning designation which is designed to “protect its outstanding landscape and seascape character, along with its special heritage and biodiversity value.” Artist’s impressions: Godel Architects.
