National Trust opposes food kiosk on 'historic' slip

Wednesday 03 March 2021

Giving a food kiosk a permanent spot on the 19th century La Pulente slipway would “significantly damage” the historic character of the area, the National Trust has claimed.

The Hideout was granted temporary permission to relocate to the slip after Shellhouse Ltd - the owners of toilets on which the takeaway previously stood - said they were to start developing their plot of land into a Nude Food.

The move followed a unanimous Parish Assembly vote in the wake of more than 6,000 islanders signing a petition to save the café from being lost.

The relocation was originally supposed to be temporary, lasting only a short while until construction work on the new Nude Food establishment started, but the Hideout has now applied for planning permission to continue trading. 

But the National Trust says it stands firmly opposed to the idea. 

In a letter to the Planning Department, the heritage charity’s Development Applications Panel argues: “The applicant’s kiosk is some 20m away from the new one under construction. Aside from the common sense point that it does not seem appropriate to have two cafés in such close proximity to each other, and the practical effects of losing parking on the slipway in an area where there is already limited parking, we believe that the application goes against Island Plan Policy HE1 - Protecting Listed buildings and spaces, and against t he Island Plan Policy NE6 - Coastal National Park.”

Pictured: The kiosk will now operate from the slipway.

They continue: “The listing for the slipway makes clear that, as a mid C19 slipway, it is part of a group of historic slipways that make a considerable contribution to the island’s distinctive character, in particular its coastline, and tell us about its history and culture. 

“Whilst we understand the Parish of St. Brelade’s decision to grant a temporary permit for the applicant’s kiosk, we cannot support a permanent structure which we believe would cause significant damage to the character of the slipway.”

On behalf of Shellhouse Limited, KE Planning also wrote to the Planning Department to raise issues with the Hideout’s operations, including customer vehicles parking on the slipway or using it to turn, and the placement of food storage facilities and a portaloo in the nearby quarry area. 

Architect Matthew Collins had previously told the Planning Department that he hoped Shellhouse’s objections would be “seen for what they are which is a rival business protecting their interests”.  

“All we are asking in this application is to allow a local business to continue to operate. The nature of the business being particularly important in these current times when takeaway and outside meeting is all most people can currently take enjoyment from,” he wrote. 

But Shellhouse contended that they were not simply aiming “to protect commercial interest”.

Senator Steve Pallett, who originally gave the takeaway a permit to trade during his term as Constable of St. Brelade, was among those to jump to the defence of the Hideout. 

Pictured: Former St. Brelade Constable, Senator Steve Pallett, defended the Hideout's application.

He slammed the National Trust’s comments as “inaccurate”, as the the café’s application “neither extends, alters or changes the architectural or historic interest of the slipway.  

“The Hideout is not a permanent structure and is not attached in any way to any listed building or structure, it simply sits on the slipway. I do not believe [the Coastal National Park policy] was ever envisaged to prevent a temporary food kiosk from operating in an area such as La Pulente where no other food or refreshment outlets are present,” Senator Pallett explained. 

He emphasised that neither Environmental Health nor the Infrastructure Department had objected to the application, adding: “The Hideout has been a place where many islanders could visit during the worst days of lockdown and for many was a sanctuary during those dark times. The kiosk is well used by locals and tourists alike and it’s important that an outlet is available at this location whilst the new development is completed. 

“The kiosk has had no detrimental impact on nearby neighbours, if anything it’s the opposite, creates little noise or disturbance and has been a credit to the owner.

“The Hideout is what it is, a mobile food kiosk serving the needs of those visiting the La Pulente area. The La Pulente Pub has now been lost to St. Brelade and provision of this type is desperately needed.”