The owner of Nude Dunes at La Pulente has applied for retrospective planning permission to keep a “temporary storage pod” on the terrace of the former restaurant in a bid to “prevent anti-social behaviour and vandalism”.

Owner Nadia Miller wants to retain the timber-clad box structure to store items that were removed when an internal water pipe burst, which caused flooding and damage to contents.

The pod also serves to block access to the external terrace as a way to stop vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which Ms Miller says has occurred.

The distinctive beachfront building overlooking St Ouen’s Bay, which stands on the site of a former toilet block, has been empty since the operators of the high-end restaurant and café ceased trading in November 2023.

Since then, Ms Miller has attempted to sell the building without success and she has also failed to get planning consent to change the use of the building to create a self-catered unit of tourist accommodation.

Last month, one appeal made against planning refusal was rejected by the Environment Minister on the recommendation of an independent inspector, and the second has been appealed to the Royal Court.

Ms Miller has also been served two enforcement notices – one which demands the removal of the timber-clad store – but these are on hold pending the appeals.

In a letter supporting the application, Ms Miller’s planning agent writes: “The proposed storage pod is temporary, proportionate and reversible, responding directly to the ongoing security needs at a site which remains subject to unresolved appeal proceedings.

“The pod’s presence is functionally necessary and visually minor, with no material harm to amenity or character.”

Referring to the ‘security needs’, the letter says: “The Nude Food Dunes building has been the subject of intense negative publicity […].

“The site has become the focal point of comments on social media, some of which have resulted in regrettable public commentary and threats of vandalism and threats to the owner. These have been taken seriously and reported as appropriate.

“Acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour have recently taken place at the premises. As an emergency response, the storage pod has been placed on the external terrace, partly serving to block access to the terrace and to prevent anti-social behaviour and vandalism.”