National Trust nabs St. Catherine's controversial coastal plot

Tuesday 24 July 2018

The National Trust has fought off four anonymous bidders to acquire three agricultural fields overlooking St. Catherine's Bay, which were controversially put up for sale by the States earlier this year.

The publicly-owned area in St. Catherine – known colloquially as the Pine Walk - includes an 11 vergée plot along La Route de la Côte and was valued from around £70,000 to £100,0000.

It was “quietly” put out for tender by Jersey Property Holdings – the States entity responsible for looking after public assets - earlier this year, despite forming part of the Coastal National Park. 

Before being put out to tender, the fields were leased by the States to local farmers, with rent generating £2,000 per year. Local potato farmer Colin De La Haye most recently looked after the fields having used them for over a decade to grow potatoes and daffodils. But he told Express he was “suddenly” warned that he’d be kicked off the sea-facing plot so that the States could sell it around 18 months ago. 

Deputy Kevin Lewis, the Infrastructure Minister, said: “We proposed to sell these fields as part of our land management programme. They are not needed for our core activities so we put them out to tender to generate the best possible income for islanders. I considered all the bids tabled, and the National Trust provided the best value for our community.”

Pictured: Local potato farmer Colin De La Haye.

The National Trust were one of five to have put in a bid. They wrote to States Members to ask for their support in securing the purchase which they believed was “in the best interests of our island” because the public benefit “lies at the very heart of [the trust’s] raison d’être.”

In its offer, the Trust said it would protect the site and its character, manage the land for the benefit of the Island, maintain access to the area where possible, and carry out all the necessary tree surgery.

The Trust revealed this morning its tender, supported by a benefactor who agreed to cover the acquisition costs, had been accepted. In a press release, they noted: "These fields are of immense landscape importance, forming the gateway to St. Catherine’s Bay, and it is heartening that the States of Jersey recognises the importance of working with the National Trust to permanently protect our coastline for the benefit of the island."

Deputy Lewis said: “I am very pleased to be able to sell the land to the National Trust, securing both the best financial outcome and the best community value for islanders. I know some have been concerned about the future of this beautiful spot, and I hope they can now rest assured that it will remain in good hands.

“The National Trust is in a unique position to be able to provide long term protection and public access to sensitive areas of our island.”

Pictured: The fields overlook St. Catherine's Bay.

Charles Alluto, Chief Executive of The National Trust for Jersey, stated: “When such sensitive areas of coastline come onto the market, the National Trust is in a unique position to be able to offer permanent landscape protection, public benefit, and in the longer term, enhanced biodiversity. This has an enormous value, beyond monetary, which will help to deliver both our aims as a conservation organisation and the States of Jersey’s strategic vision of safeguarding and enhancing our natural environment.

"As Plémont has illustrated, such a partnership can deliver wonderful results, and we hope that the land acquisition at St. Catherine’s will continue to strengthen and build upon this firm foundation.”  

The Trust also recently put a £260,000 bid on coastal duneland at St. Ouen, which featured a German bunker and 80 different plant species. They were however unsuccessful in their bid and the land was instead awarded to an anonymous purchaser. 

Once contracts have been passed, the Trust will be undertaking "some limited, but much needed" tree surgery work in St. Catherine to prolong the life of the landmark Pine trees. They will also start looking for a tenant for the agricultural fields.

Pictured: The fields seem from La Route Le Brun. (Google Maps)