A makeover, yes, but this is just too big

From Olivia English, chairman, Friends of Les Mielles.
SEVERAL of our members attended the preview of the Watersplash redevelopment proposals and as a result of a meeting we have the following comments.

We are pleased that the Watersplash is owned by a locally based company, who one presumes would naturally be more sympathetic to the needs of the bay and to the surfing community.

We were also gratified that ‘grass’ roofing and discrete lighting are planned for the redevelopment ,which clearly exhibits a desire to blend into the environment.

However, we do have a number of reservations to the new proposals. Primarily, the area of coastal strip to the north and south boundary would be built over and turned into a car park, which clearly demonstrates no concern for the local wildlife habitat or the natural rugged landscape that forms the character of Les Mielles.

While improved parking would be desirable, replacing the wild coastal strip with a car park, no matter how it is ‘landscaped’, is particularly sad when there is already plenty of existing land available. A revision of the plans to reduce the new footprint and incorporate an improved car park would be far more acceptable.

Is the addition of a flow rider really essential? It sounds impressive, but if it does not prove financially viablem, what can we expect to see in its place? This area could easily accommodate the offices and staff quarters, leaving room for new car parking.

It is also a shame that there will be car parking charges, forcing regular Splash beachgoers to find an alternative spot or pay for the pleasure of using their favourite part of St Ouen’s Bay.

The so-called ‘judging tower’ has no coherence with the rest of the design. It is unnecessarily large and unsightly, particularly with regard to its close proximity to the beach. We do appreciate that this building houses a club room, showers and toilets and fast-food facilities, but this does not constitute the need for a building of this magnitude, which is an eyesore from all aspects. It is not needed for judging contests and is therefore masquerading as something it is not.

The ‘surf lodges’ also appear to be masquerading as something they are not. They create the impression of worldwide surfers flocking to our shores to stay in them. Surely this is more of a dream than a reality. We suggest they are merely ‘tourist beds’ under a new name with a change of use for the Watersplash and destined to become the newest hotel in the Seymour chain. We believe these lodges will set a precedent for the Château Plaisir, El Tico, the Milano site and anyone else at Les Mielles who has enough land to build ‘beds’ for our ailing tourist industry.

While in general terms the Watersplash certainly is seriously in need of a makeover, we would question the integrity and scale of these new designs for a building which, no matter how you view it, is still in the centre of one of our key areas of special interest, which we as a group strive to preserve for both present and future generations.
We would hope for a reconsideration in the plans for this very sensitive area and look forward to a more favourable plan, greatly reduced in size, in due course.
France Le Sueur Centre,
Grande Route des Mielles,
St Ouen.

Article posted on 5th July, 2008 - 10.00am