Temporary planning permission is being sought to enable licensed commercial outdoor activities, such as of kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering, to take place at Cobo, Grandes Rocques, Petit Bot and Portelet.
The applications are seeking permission for the parking of vehicles and trailers at four sites that are owned or managed by the States.
But principal environment services officer Andy McCutcheon said, in a letter attached to the planning applications, that at the same time controls on operators were to be increased.
‘The applications for all four sites seek a temporary change of use to enable the parking of vehicles and trailers for the purpose of providing commercial outdoor recreational activities such as kayaking and coasteering,’ he wrote.
‘It is expected that the activities will be provided by licensed operators.
‘Annual licences will be granted by States Property Services, on behalf of the States Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services, to enable operators to use and operate from land in the ownership and/or management of the States of Guernsey.
‘As part of the licence conditions operators will be expected to comply with the relevant legislation, including health and safety, environmental protection and animal welfare laws.’
An ACLMS spokesman said it was in the process of drafting suitable licences with the assistance of the States’ Property Services and was in discussion with two businesses wanting to operate coastal leisure activities.
‘A system of licensing allows commercial providers to operate legally and assures effective management of public areas and sensitive bird breeding areas, in particular those that fall within Sites of Special Significance such as the south coast cliffs.
‘Doing so balances the needs of business, the general public and the natural environment.’
A total of five planning applications have been made. One of which is a separate one for Petit Bot to extend the existing concrete base, next to the slipway, to allow the storage of kayaks.
‘The provision of hard-standing in this location will streamline the operation and reduce disruption and temporary obstruction of the access point to the bay,’ Mr McCutcheon added.
‘This will also potentially free up space within the small car park.’
He said organised outdoor recreation in a natural environment was a major contributor to encouraging active lifestyles for both physical and mental wellbeing.
There were also educational and economic benefits.
However, the potential negative impacts needed to be considered by the community.
‘Examples of negative impacts include overcrowding during peak demand and the effect of disturbance on the environment, in particular damage to habitats and wildlife, in particular birdlife.’
Trailers and vehicles will not be parked and left overnight at Cobo and Grandes Rocques between 1 October and 31 March.
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