Overflow car park being turned into grassy habitat
WORK to transform the Grandes Rocques overflow car park into a coastal grassy habitat has begun, despite condemnation from some islanders.
Bill and Margaret Masterton set up a petition in July to reopen the overflow car park, which proved successful due to ‘unforeseen delays’ in the regrassing project.
More than 500 people signed the petition at the time.
But as the end of summer approaches, the car park is now closed for good and, as of yesterday, large mounds of soil have been placed in the space, which could formerly fit about 30 vehicles.
‘I’m so disappointed – the whole Grandes Rocques area is full of wildlife and biodiversity and the car park already exists, so why take it away,’ said Mr Masterton.
‘It’s not like we’re asking the States to build us a brand new car park.’
The seasonal overflow car park is classed as a site of special significance.
Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services said previously that coastal grassland was an important habitat, supporting wild flowers, such as sea pink and sea campion, pollinators and birds.
‘They’ve said that if you can’t park there you should go to another beach or take alternative transport,’ said Mrs Masterton.
‘We live in St Martin’s and we’re at the age where we can’t go to the beach without our chairs or our umbrellas. It’s really difficult because why shouldn’t we get to enjoy our favourite beach?’
The closure of the overflow car park will also have an impact on businesses, in particular, Grandes Rocques kiosk.
Dave Barlow of the kiosk said that the overwhelming response to the petition meant it was only right to inform the public of the update.
‘So many different people use the car parks here. The car park can be almost full and that’s just with dog walkers, but when it’s a beach day it’s absolutely manic,’ he said.
‘Even when we’ve had good days and the overflow car park was open it was still so busy and there’s people parking where they shouldn’t be.
‘I feel that this whole time there has been no real contact between this department and the public and, personally, I feel that the shoddy attitude that this department has towards the public is quite disgraceful.’
The soil has been sourced from an area of Cobo Bay where it was removed to make room for developments at Mim’s Kiosk.
