DPA president would like open meeting on plans for Auberge

Development & Planning Authority president Deputy Victoria Oliver said that she has requested that the application from owner Andrew Haining should be considered and decided upon in the open forum, but this has yet to be confirmed by a committee vote.

The site ceased to operate as an eatery in January 2019, a few months after it was acquired from the Liberation Group for £1m.

An online petition called 'Save the Auberge at Jerbourg!' has so far garnered the support of more than 730 signatories.

This has come as no surprise to St Martin’s senior constable Jeff Wilkes-Green, who expressed his personal opinion that ‘the view is special and has been from time immemorial’.

‘I haven’t spoken to any islander who disagrees,’ he said.

In a letter accompanying the application, Mr Haining argues that the site is not financially viable, suggesting that Octopus in Town has become a preferable destination for diners, as it can be reached without need of a taxi.

‘People get taxis from Torteval and the Vale to get to Octopus and they’ll happily do so to get to Jerbourg from anywhere,’ Mr Wilkes-Green said.

Mr Haining said the business was losing money prior to its closure and that seemingly healthy financial records relating to its operation under Liberation Group were misleading.

However, Mr Wilkes-Green said he could not see why a restaurant in the location would not succeed.

No date for any open planning meeting has yet been set. Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting would first have to supply the planning authority with a written submission, spelling out their objections in relation to the policies of the Island Development Plan.

They will be able to speak only on the issues their submission has raised.

The deadline for representations on the application is Monday 17 May.