Planning permission has been granted for a predator-proof fence at Plémont, paving the way for a new seabird sanctuary on Jersey’s north coast.
Environment Minister Steve Luce approved the 907-metre fence to the east of Plémont following a planning appeal, backing a scheme led by the Birds on the Edge partnership.
The project had initially been approved by the Planning Committee in May 2025, but was later challenged, triggering a review by independent inspector Philip Staddon.
He recommended the scheme be allowed, despite what he described as “complex” planning considerations.
At the heart of the appeal was a balance between the fence’s visual impact on the coastal landscape and its environmental benefits.
While acknowledging the structure would cause some harm to views in a protected area, the inspector concluded that the ecological gains would outweigh those concerns.
Evidence presented during the process suggested invasive predators are a major factor in the decline of seabird populations at Plémont.
The proposed fence, already used successfully in other conservation projects, is intended to protect nesting sites and restore coastal habitats.
Deputy Luce accepted those findings, stating that although the development would introduce a man-made feature into the landscape, its design would limit visual impact and deliver significant biodiversity benefits.
Approval has been granted subject to conditions and a planning agreement.