Goodbye Pontins...hello Plemont!

Friday 22 July 2016

Islanders are being urged to pack their picnics, and bring their kites, to celebrate the re-opening of the Plemont headland this weekend.

After many years campaigning, culminating in a multi-million pound purchase of the land, the National Trust for Jersey are now preparing to welcome Islanders onto the restored headland on Sunday afternoon.

The Trust, which spent more than a decade trying to acquire the site from its previous owners, say they want Islanders to bring their picnics and kites on Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm to mark its opening. 

Islanders have also been invited to go on guided ‘bug safaris’ - showing the enormous variation of insects which call the headland their home. 

A controversial debate two years ago ended with the States and the trust paying half the cost each of buying the site - £7.15m. 

Since then the trust has been restoring and re-seeding the site, which included the demolition of the former Pontin’s Holiday Village. 

Trust Chief Executive Charles Alluto said: “After two years of hard work and dedication since the trust purchased the site and the deal went through the Royal Court, it is wonderful that we are now at this point.  

“The land on the site has recovered so well. It has been beyond all our expectations. The ponds are already hosting toadlets and newts and wildlife is coming back to the area. Indeed, Barn owls have also returned.”

Benefactors who donated money to the trust are commemorated on seats on the site and law firm Mourant Ozannes are sponsoring Sunday’s event. 

Mr Alluto said there will be facilities for kite-making, but Islanders can also bring their own. “Kite flying is a perfect choice for the opening as it underlines the feeling of freedom at Plemont. We want people to come along and enjoy the stunning landscape.”