Manor owners plan to grow fresh produce

Thursday 16 July 2020

The owners of one of Jersey's most iconic properties have put forward plans to reconstruct a greenhouse to grow fruit and vegetables.

The proposal for St. John's Manor was submitted to the Planning Department by John Curran Mills Richmond and his wife, Louisa Richmond.

It outlines the rebuilding of a greenhouse to the north of the site that was partially demolished in the 1980s to “bring the area back into use for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables.”

As part of the proposal’s design statement, the Richmonds explained that “there are environmental benefits in using the greenhouse to grow crops for the Manor, extending the season for crops and producing crops out of season.”

“The idea is to grow these crops organically, reducing the amount of chemicals used in the environment, also to reduce the amount of imported crops, and therefore food miles. It would help make the Manor more self sufficient and reduce the impact on the environment,” they said.

Pictured: The pair said the plans would help reduce the amount of crops imported to Jersey.

The plans follow the new owners’ pledge back in February to “work hard to reduce the Manor’s carbon footprint and its impact on climate change in a sustainable way”.

“We all have a duty to reverse the harmful effects that we have had on the climate. We would like to continue to welcome visitors to garden open days. Our aim is to increase the biodiversity of the gardens and land for the benefit of all," they said at the time.

The greenhouse, which would be “designed in a Victorian style and constructed using a high-quality powder coated aluminium frame", would join features such as a serpentine, a wildlife lake, falconry, ‘leisure pavilion’ and horse stables in making up the property’s extensive landscape. 

Though the manor is a listed building, the plans provide reassurance that “there is no demolition involved or removal of historic fabric”, and the structure “will enhance the architectural and historic character and integrity of the listed building and its setting.”

PIctured: An aerial view of the 58-acre manor. 

The 58-acre manor was sold in February this year, after over four decades of ownership under Canadian-born Mr John Dick, the Rwandan consul and former Seigneur of St John. 

New owner Mr Richmond, who sold his Licolnshire based snack company Freshtime Ltd. for £56m in September last year, has now taken over the title of Seigneur from Mr Dick.