Chief Minister Signals Support for Public Ownership of Les Mielles Golf Course

Jersey's Chief Minister has expressed support for the idea of bringing the Les Mielles Golf & Country Club site in St Peter into public ownership after the property was placed on the market with a guide price of £9.95 million.

The comments come as a public petition calling for the site to be purchased and largely restored to nature continues to gain momentum. Launched by islander Matt Topman, the campaign has attracted more than 600 signatures and urges the government to explore funding options to secure the land before it is sold to a private buyer.

Topman believes the site represents a rare opportunity to protect a significant area within Jersey's National Park. His proposal suggests restoring much of the land to its natural habitat, while incorporating educational and recreational facilities. He also envisages the existing clubhouse being transformed into a national centre for community use.

He pointed to previous conservation projects at Plémont and Grève de Lecq as examples of successful public intervention to preserve environmentally important sites.

Describing the sale as a "once in a generation opportunity", Topman said he did not have a fixed vision for the future of the land but believed nature should play a central role in any redevelopment.

"Some form of rewilding would be wonderful given the setting," he said, adding that the site could remain partly as a golf course or be adapted for another purpose. "It's an open canvas."

Topman said he would also welcome a private purchaser committed to protecting the site's natural character, adding that the petition was intended to spark wider public discussion about its future.

Speaking to BBC Jersey, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said he would like to see the property come into public ownership "somehow" and confirmed the government would consider the proposal.

He said he hoped to discuss the possibility with the National Trust for Jersey, suggesting the land could complement nearby areas to create an even larger landscape of outstanding natural beauty stretching from Simon Sands to Les Mielles.

"It's something we can certainly take a look at," Farnham said.

The Chief Minister noted there could be several ways to fund any acquisition, including the use of public money if ministers chose to pursue the purchase. He also revealed that a number of wealthy islanders had approached him expressing an interest in contributing financially to any effort to secure the site.

Farnham previously supported the acquisition of Café Romany at Grève de Lecq following campaigns to safeguard the surrounding coastline.

The National Trust for Jersey has declined to comment while discussions remain at an early stage.