Plans for tourist hub at "evolving" La Pulente

Monday 12 November 2018

'Deteriorating' coastal buildings could be demolished to make way for self-catering tourist accommodation in response to a growing travel trend, if plans are approved.

The proposals aim to revamp the area next to the former Blue Fountain restaurant at La Pulente, apparently making the most of its "evolving" status as a top tourist destination.

The site currently includes two garages,a studio flat and a one-bedroom cottage which the new owners aim to demolish to make way for a building including two three-bedroom units and another one including a four-bedroom unit.

Submitted by Riva Architects on behalf of their client, the plans propose to reinstate the units of accommodation, which are spread over two buildings, "while bringing them up to current day space standards."

According to a report submitted alongside the proposals, Riva architects explained that the key motivation was to capitalise on La Pulente's emerging tourism credentials, while filling a gap in the market for self-catering accommodation previously identified by Visit Jersey.

Pictured: The site (pictured right) is located next to the former Blue Fountain restaurant on Route de la Pulente.

"Although La Pulente is not an identified Tourist Destination area, it is clear that it is evolving as one. The neighbours to the north – Les Ormes self-catering units and Rocco Apartments – are both well-established self-catering venues, which offer a total of 28 units. These help to sustain Koru Arms Pub/Restaurant and the catering kiosk in the immediate area. They could potentially also assist in supporting the Blue Fountain Restaurant, were it to return to being a restaurant, and the café proposed within the La Pulente public toilets. The area is clearly attractive to tourists," the architects explained.

They added that the owners, who would be living in a private home on site would be servicing and managing the units. To do so, part of the house has been dedicated to laundry facilities and the storage of linen, cleaning equipment and spare furniture. it will also include an office space for management. 

 If approved, the new build would be roughly the same size as the former, with a minimum visual impact from the roadside, as it would be set back by 11 metres.

Pictured: An aerial view of the proposed development at La Pulente.

Riva Architects' plans also included measures to increase ecological activity within the area, such as dry-stone walls and a dune-like front verge to create a better habitat for the indigenous reptile and mammal population. Crevices would also be added to the site's back wall, providing yet more nesting opportunities for the reptiles.

To protect the bats living on and around the site, architects also suggested amending the fascia to provide nesting areas.

'Grasscrete', a cellular grassed paving in concrete or plastic, is also being considered for use to help the site's natural drainage.

Pictured: The units would be managed by the owners from their on-site private home.

Arguing for the demolition of the current buildings, which they described as "flawed", the architects explained that, due to several alterations, the structural integrity of the building has been "stretched to the limit."

In addition, some of the units, which have been vacant for a number of years, have now deteriorated too much to be let.

The application is now before Planning officials, whose division now falls within the Growth, Housing and Environment Department under the new 'One Gov' structure, and will be considered over the coming months.