Welcome home Plemont!

Monday 25 July 2016

Plemont headland was officially re-opened to Islanders this weekend - two years after a £7million battle was won to buy it back.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst was on hand at the official opening and gave his seal of approval to a site which has now been 'returned to nature.'

For years the site had been a scar on the landscape as the former Pontin’s holiday camp was allowed to go to ruin. 

But it was bought two years ago after a decade-long battle, in a joint venture between the States and the National Trust for Jersey, costing £7.15m, but is now a new addition to the Islands’ many attractions. 

Senator Gorst said: “I think in my line of work there are usually three good reasons not to actually do something, but in this case there were none. This dream has very much been worth fighting for. 

“My daughters come around here and go to the beach and I walk around the headland myself. It has been an eyesore for many years. 

“It was a controversial site because there are still those who feel housing should have come here, but I think when you consider how this will look over the next 50 years, it should be obvious to all that the right thing was done. 

“There was a cost to the taxpayer, but when you look at it now it was absolutely the right thing to do and to bring it back to nature. It is a glorious sight and one which has come about through the hard work of so many different people and agencies.”

National Trust for Jersey Chief Executive Charles Alluto said the site, which cost an extra £1m to develop, is beginning to be reclaimed by nature.  

“The demotion costs were higher because there was asbestos here,” he said. “I think the whole project has been a remarkable one and this will be a day to remember for a long time. It has been returned to nature and that is something to be very proud of.”

The theme for yesterday was kite flying to symbolise the freedom of nature and Mr Alluto was delighted with the turn-out. 

“I’m just thrilled this wonderful place is now coming back to what it once was. We already have toads and newts in the pond and you can can see how it is developing, week by week. Anyone who comes here will be delighted by what they see, of that I am certain.”