A bid to extend a popular al fresco dining area in St Helier has been shut down by the Environment Minister.
Retrospective permission had been sought for the outdoor seating area behind Colmar Brasserie and Café, which operates as Bar Levant.
The Broad Street structure – which uses barriers that can be raised to protect from bad weather – had not received proper planning permission before it was opened.
Permission was denied, and an appeal was submitted by Colmar and Bar Levant owner David Voisin, and considered by an independent planning inspector who recommended that Environment Minister Steve Luce reject it. The recommendation was accepted.
The Parish of St Helier’s Roads Committee had supported the application, saying the area was “effectively an extension of the existing al fresco area”.
But critics said the building was unattractive and took away space from pedestrians.
Islander Chris Whitworth wrote: “It is an eyesore, totally out of character with the many listed and attractive buildings in its surroundings.”
And the National Trust for Jersey said the structure “dominates the area therefore restricting the public throughfare” and said that “due process” should have been followed.
It was acknowledged that the proposal would “contribute to the daytime and evening economy and help to bring vitality to Town”.
However, the planning inspector found that the proposals “would not be of a high-quality design”, would reduce public open space and accessibility for pedestrians and wheelchair users, and were too near listed buildings.
The inspector therefore concluded that the economic benefits of the proposals – which “would be mainly enjoyed by the appellant” – would not outweigh the disbenefits, and recommended that the appeal be dismissed.
After considering the inspector’s report and visiting the site, the Environment Minister found no reason to depart from this recommendation.
Colmar will be able to continue with its original al fresco area, which is not affected by the decision.