Britannia Waives the Rules

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Jersey’s shores and seabed have been handed over to the States by the Crown in an historic deal that could pave the way for renewable energy projects and for changes to the way the ports and harbours are run.

The agreement will see the Crown relinquish its centuries-old ownership of the area between the high and low springtides as well as the seabed, and hand it over to the States of Jersey.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst has announced the deal, under which the Crown has agreed to hand over all of the title rights and interests not already owned by the States of Jersey – but our existing treaty and environmental obligations will not be affected.

Senator Gorst said: “This is an historic development for the Island and is testament to our strong relationship with the Crown.

“It is important for Jersey to have ownership of its seabed and foreshore, and I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the public of Jersey for this decision.

“Islanders should be reassured that the transference of ownership of the foreshore and seabed will not affect our enjoyment of Jersey’s beaches and coastal waters, nor would it alter the Island’s constitutional relationship with the Crown. Similarly, our existing obligations under international environmental conventions would remain unchanged.”

The ownership of the foreshore and sea bed has been a controversial subject – ten years ago, the States had to hand over land at the Waterfront to settle a long-running legal claim that people who held ancient feudal rights over land – the Seigneurs – actually owned the shore and seabed too.

Under the new arrangement, the only parts of the shores that will stay in Crown ownership are the reefs of the Ecréhous and the Minquiers.

The arrangement has been welcomed by the Queen’s personal representative in the Island, Lieutenant Governor, General Sir John McColl.

In a rare public statement, he said: “The government of Jersey has expressed a view that ownership of the seabed and foreshore would assist effective management and economic development, particularly in the area of renewable energy projects.

“Her Majesty wishes to support the interests and aspirations of the people of Jersey as expressed through their elected representatives and, following due consideration of the issue by the UK and Jersey governments, has agreed to the proposal.

“The legal arrangements for gifting the seabed and the foreshore to the people of Jersey from the Crown are being finalised.”