Select a region
A plot of coastal land at Grève De Lecq would never be lost to public ownership, if a States Member’s amendment to a proposal to buy the land is accepted.
The States Assembly will debate a proposition next week from Deputy Lyndon Farnham – subsequently elected as Chief Minister – about the purchase of the Seaside Café site for £3.6 million, after which the site would be gifted to the National Trust for Jersey.
Now Deputy Farnham's proposal could be amended by Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who represents the same electoral district – St Ouen, St Peter and St Mary – as the Chief Minister.
Deputy Stephenson has proposed an additional clause stipulating that the gift of the land to the National Trust for Jersey be subject to a condition that the land must be returned to public ownership should the National Trust decide in the future that it no longer wishes to own the site.
In a short report accompanying her amendment, Deputy Stephenson stated: "This is a simple amendment which seeks to strengthen the main proposition by responding to a concern raised by members of the public that [the site] could potentially be sold off for profit in future without the public having any say in the matter.
"The amendment would ensure that if the proposition is approved and the purchase goes ahead, a condition would be included... requiring that the trust return the site to public ownership if it no longer has a use for it."
Pictured: Deputy Lucy Stephenson.
The National Trust had stated that it was content with the condition, Deputy Stephenson added.
The matter is due to be debated by States Members when the Assembly sits on 6 February, although it has yet to be confirmed which items of business, if any, may be rescheduled as a result of the recent change of government and election of a new Council of Ministers.
States asked to buy part of "iconic" Grève de Lecq site for £3.6m
Push to buy "iconic" Grève de Lecq to safeguard public access
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.