A proposal to convert the former Nude Dunes restaurant at La Pulente, St. Brelade, Jersey, into a self-catering accommodation has been recommended for refusal following significant public opposition.
The restaurant, which closed in November 2023, had been listed for £2.2 million by Le Rossignol Estates. Its owner, Nadia Miller, submitted a planning application in August to partially convert the site into a two-bedroom self-catering property with a "scaled-down" beach café.
Public and Official Objections
The application drew 121 formal representations, with 114 objections and seven in support. The Infrastructure and Environment Department reported that public concerns included:
Evidence of interest from operators willing to continue running the premises as a restaurant.
A failure to adhere to the Bridging Island Plan’s planning policies.
Potential harm to the bay’s character.
Fears the development would serve only the "privileged few."
Protesters against the proposal had previously gathered in July, with about 250 people opposing what they called "overdevelopment and privatisation" of the area.
Support and Owner’s Defence
Supporters argued that the proposal could help address the shortage of holiday lets and revive La Pulente’s economy, citing the financial unviability of the restaurant. Planning documents outlined the owner's defense, noting the failure of the previous business, a lack of "realistic offers" from buyers, and assurances of no harm to the building or access to public toilets.
"The applicant should not be expected to accept an offer significantly below market value/rent for this type of building in this location," Miller argued.
Planning Officer’s Recommendation
Despite these defenses, government planning officers advised the Planning Committee to reject the application. They emphasised that the proposal failed to meet the Bridging Island Plan's policies, including:
Evidence from third parties indicating the premises was not redundant.
The requirement for holiday lets to be justified by redundancy of current employment use and environmental benefits.
The officer concluded that the proposal did not align with the "wider community interest" or meet the "high bar" set by planning policies, further describing its failure to comply with key guidelines as "problematic."
The Planning Committee is set to make its decision based on these recommendations.