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There has been strong opposition to a proposal to move a play area at Longbeach after nearby residents complained about noisy teenagers and squeaky swings.
The parish Constable and Grouville tenants have suggested closing the popular sandy spot - parallel to the beach on the north side of the public toilets - and build a new play area at the other end of the car park, in between Fort William and where the ice cream van parks.
If it does move, it is envisaged the existing spot would become ‘naturalised’ with extra planting and benches.
People have been invited to air their views and make suggestions to Bruce Labey at the Department of Infrastructure.
And it is understood that, so far, the vast majority of comments have opposed any move.
Pictured: The Constable said teens were sometimes remaining in the park area until around midnight and making noise.
Writing on Facebook, Kirsty Le Mevel wrote: “I’m confused - taking away a safe place for a park and replacing it with communal benches and ‘natural planting’. Sounds like the perfect place to hang out in the evenings during the summer! Surely they’ll end up with the same problem.
“Good luck with the quietness you’re expecting having the park removed. Secondly, a wonderful suggestion moving a children’s park right next to a golf course! What could go wrong?”
And Lydia Cook wrote: “This is so wrong. People purchased properties knowing what they overlooked. Leave this unique beach park alone and sort out any night time problems in another way, if they even still exist after current covid restrictions. Appalling.”
Fraser Martin added: “I am strongly against moving the sandy park and wish to know what we can do to stop this happening. It is currently situated in a beautiful part of the bay for the children to enjoy and should remain there. What reason is there to move it?”
Explaining the background, Constable John Le Maistre said: “The residents around the area are happy for children to enjoy themselves there; the trouble is older teenagers, who can be there until midnight making a noise.
“So we’re looking for a solution. It’s not possible to lock the play area at night so we’re thinking about moving it to somewhere safe. The equipment is towards the end of its life anyway so the tenants have identified a space past the far end of the car park, which has no environmental merit as it’s trampled on all the time anyway.
“It would make the play area more visible and it won’t disturb anyone. There has been a suggestion of putting it on the other side of the road, on the football pitch, but I think that is better kept as an open space."
Pictured: Grouville Constable John Le Maistre wants to listen to Islanders before any decision is made.
By virtue of being Constable, Mr Le Maistre is also chairman of the tenants’ committee, who have had responsibility for the area by virtue of the property they own for centuries.
Mr Le Maistre added: “It certainly isn’t a fait accompli and I don’t think it will happen very quickly as no decision will be made without a public consultation, and it is also subject to approval by Planning.
“If there is clear opposition to it moving, then we will have to have a rethink, but it is probably a bit unfair to the affected residents. It’s better if the teenagers are out where they can be seen.”
Islanders are asked to send their comments to Mr Labey at b.labey@gov.je.
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