Windward House in St Brelade
PLANS to demolish the property used as Charlie Hungerford’s home in the hit TV show Bergerac have been approved.
The go-ahead was given yesterday for Windward House on Mont Sohier, St Brelade, to be knocked down and replaced with three large homes. The news will disappoint many fans of the 80s show who considered the site to be both architecturally and historically important.
Jersey businessman Tom Scott is behind the latest plans for the house, which featured in all nine seasons of the BBC TV series.
In the original plans, drawn up by John Bulford from UK firm Robert Adam Architects, five homes were to replace the three houses and outbuildings that currently stand on the site. But that number was revised to three, albeit substantial, houses during the planning negotiations.
The final decision was made at yesterday’s meeting of the Planning applications panel.
Article posted on 29th January, 2010 - 2.57pm
36 Article Comments
End of an era then! I wont be visiting Jersey anymore – this building was one of the reasons we holidayed here. Final nail in the coffin for us after Portlet and other areas have now been overdeveloped. Farewell Windward House, RIP.
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Oh dear – how disappointing that the ‘replacement three’ will absolutely not reflect 21st century design but instead and yet again yester century. We can expect nothing else given the choice of architects – three Mocky Horrors that will cater to visual illiterates. Oh joy!
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good it will create employment.
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My best friend lived here up until very recently and we spent our childhood growing up in the property and surrounding grounds with all our friends. We had many amazing parties and adventures that will never be forgotten. I am so sorry that this historic building is being knocked down and I am very dissappointed with the people who let this happen. The property is absolutely magical and I am so lucky to have had to priviledge to have spent time here it really was like something out of a fairy tale.
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It’s amazing what an impact Bergerac had. In 2003 I went to a conference in London. On arrival, the receptionist (who was completely batty) asked me if Charlie Hungerford was still alive! I couldn’t resist winding her up, so I told her I saw him last week, he was smoking a cigar outside the betting shop. She was well chuffed & asked me to pass on her regards.
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Yes thank you…we know the island is being systematically trashed…
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Hang on a minute, this areas a green zone, so how can MORE development be approved?
As a local historian, Im well aware of the historical significance of this property, which again, the planning commitee have overlooked. This has to stop, seriously, Jersey is sold to the rich, we have no place here unless we comform.
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Interesting that the Architect used was from UK!! What does that say about the price of the Jersey Architects when one of the richest men in Jersey do use local!!
nah wont create employment just more transient immigrants!
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@3 David Brown
Err, for how long? This site is not exactly what one would call “sustainable”.
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This is extremely sad news and shows how wrong things can be. Yet the old Odeon cinema building cannot be demolished as it’s listed because it’s the last (note-not the best)example of 1960s architecture to be built! It’s a total eye sore.
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It’s sad that Jersey is being destroyed by the rich,money seems to talk very well over there.
Windward House was a beautiful old building that should have been preserved,not just because of its famous past but as one of the landmarks of Jersey.
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Where have the Gardens gone from around the house?
answer, they were ripped out along with the many trees all within days of the property being purchased.It was a rich habitat for Red squirrels lizards Grass Snakes Agile Frogs etc Where were the authorities? answer, looking the other way.Whatever happened to building ONLY in the original footprint of a building?
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Yogie #8
I heard that many Jersey developers are actively encouraged to use certain UK architects rather than local ones.
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So what?
Yet more hand wringing and crocodile tears from the sandal-wearing, tree-hugging “Guardian” readers of Jersey.
Capitalism rules in Jersey: get used to it.
As Senator Terry Le Main would have said, “Mind your own business!”
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Tragic News! Another Jersey gem will soon be gone. As will our family visits: like another commenter we have had enough of seeing what we love about the island being neglected instead of protected.
WINDWARD HOUSE was our favourite building in Jersey, and drew us here initially, and then to annual holidays, and also to exploring other Channel Islands.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone and anyone who petitioned against the demolition, and worked to try and save the house and grounds in this marvellous green zone.
For anyone interested in seeing the house when it was at its best, please see the PHOTO SLIDESHOW at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/windward-house-jersey/show/
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Note 10…
The Odeon was built in 1952 and its style has a large amount of 1930s influence known as the Art deco period.
Just to be precise
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Unfortunately you can’t blame the present owner – the previous ones are the ones who let it fall in to decay and then sold it for lots of profit despite receiving all of that TV money!
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# 11 Mike.
Jersey being destroyed by Rich Money? Hmmm Ok, lets demolish St Ouens Manor, in fact all the large Manor houses, the Churches, everthing that was paid for by the rich money of Jersey residents through the centuries. Victoria College, that can too. Then lets replece it all with builings paid for with poor money.
#15 Si James.
Thanks for the photos on Flikr, cleary shows what a mess the place is and how poorly designed it is. Seems planners got it right.
#17 Many properties in Jersey are left to “die” by owners, everything needs to be looked after. Makes you think why the previous owners and their friends who had such a wonderful time living there, why did they not maintain it and why did they sell it if was so special?
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To #17: The elderly previous owner Mr Martland died. If there were grown up children, who is to say they did not have their own lives and now lived abroad? The owners obviously DID care very much – if you read the Open Garden articles on the http://www.flickr.com/photos/windward-house-jersey/show/ website, it states he worked in the garden almost every day of his life! His passion was obviously his garden, not money!
Its rather mean of you to presume just because they owned the house and the land (way before property values doubled, doubled and then doubled again in value), that they were rolling in cash! Through circumstances unknown, people die and houses have to be sold. We didnt used to live in a world obsessed with property and land – they used to be called “homes”, and this is what I and others who cared were trying to get across.
A TV show does not make you rich, and the previous owner opened the gardens and house regularly for charity. What does businessman Tom Scott do for charity? I cannot comment, perhaps others can.
And #18: Yes the place is now an external mess and this shows in some of the photos! That is thanks to Tom Scott being able to afford to neglect it for 6 years! It has been left to rot, the building has many leaks and dampness causing this. It’s been through at least 6 winters and 6 summers with inadequate ventilation and no heating when either are needed. What would any property look like after that?
And who knows when it was last externally redecorated and the grounds cared for before that, remember the owner was by then elderly.
Even 5 years ago the grounds looked fantastic, but since then no one lives there who cares, and they have been regularly ripped up, trees destroyed etc to open it up for planning so look like a tip. Doesn’t that always help with planning? Ie now it looks awful, our plan will improve it?
As for INTERNAL layout – that is just personal taste and datedness. There is no point bothering to comment on the mess inside, as that could be put right easily without pulling the whole building down and changing the grounds.
As someone who has BEEN there and inside, all I know is that you can see the love and care that the original architect, the artist Francis William Synge LE MAISTRE, put in to its unusual design and position.
I just think it is a shame that people don’t care more about the past and enhancing it, rather than money and destruction and in effect just erecting 3 very large properties on what was 1 large house, garage flat, and cottage. Thereby cramming more into a site that will never look as beautiful again.
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Rozel Joe,
I wasn’t suggesting tearing everything down that was paid for by the rich.Money has done a lot for Jersey,i’m not disputing that.
Maybe i should have phrased it better in the way that the old Jersey is being destroyed by the rich,some things should be preserved,Windward House is one of them.
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flymo(6) some work is better than none.
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its a house and charlie hungerford isnt a real person. lets just grow up a bit and get on with our lives. bergerac was fun, but unfortunately tourism in this island has been destroyed, and not by the “SYSTEMATIC” destruction of houses, but by the big heads of jersey finance industry and the states. get on with your lives
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@13 – Rozel Joe
By ‘actively encouraged’ do you mean, ‘told they won’t get planning permission unless they use a certain firm’…that would chime with what I’ve heard!!
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Ironic to think that with this gone and Jim’s “cottage” beneath Queens Valley reservoir, the only building with Bergerac connections left will be Haut de La Garenne!
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Great!
Let’s knock down the few unique beauties left on the island. Nobody touch the Odeon cinema in St Helier, the arrival’s Hall at Jersey Airport and the Radisson on the water front though… those are eyesores that we wish to preserve for future generations and architects as a monument to bad taste.
Not a clue…
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I though the old Tourism building had a role as Bureau des Etrangers at one time.
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Jim #24 – not totally correct. In the first series of Bergerac, Charlie Hungerford “lived” at Noirmont Manor. Only with the second series did he change residence, moving to Windward House.
It is a great shame that this rather elegant building, that with some work could revert to it’s previous splendor is being readily demolished.
There is obviously no thought given by the Environment Minister, Freddie Cohen, to the waste of resources and energy by giving consent to this act of environmental vandalism.
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@19
“just erecting 3 very large properties on what was 1 large house, garage flat, and cottage. Thereby cramming more into a site that will never look as beautiful again.”
There are three detached houses on the site, no garage flat, one of which was actually fully refurbished in the last 6 years. If you get that fact wrong, what else is wrong in your statement?
@ #23 J-Cat
Stange that, I have heard exactly the same ;o)
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@20 Mike,
Fair enough, but……
Jersey has enjoyed a multitude of historical planning experts and we are told by each one that the previous system and listings were flawed and the list revised, this is actually going on now with a yet another change and review to the listing system by the latest planning employee from the UK.
Granted, some properties do escape their notice and are indeed worthy of protection when “discovered”. However, this property has been high profile and the historic buildings department, their advisers, committees etc. have all chosen not to protect it. They have had plenty of opportunity in the last two decades, everytime the list is reviewed.
If the property is in reality worthy of protection and the department has not protected it, then one should ask why. There are many properties that are in a far worse state than Windward that the department has and is currently protecting.
Maybe the JEP should investigate the lsiting system and also #23 J-cat comment. One day the truth will come out and when it does, trust me, there will be a story!
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Great news! more work and housing for us immigrants. My how Jersey is changing, get rid of qualies too! so the family can finally come over and live in Jersye for good. Frankly we should be demolishing more old buildings like this to make way for the incoming populus. Feeling more like Hampshire everyday
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To “Know the House” you obviously dont “Know the Family” I am disgusted! The house was left to the late owners 3 daughters who loved the property very much but could not afford to buy each other out. It was with heavy hearts that the property was sold!! The family are devestated to hear about the plans for the property to be demolished. The late owner was not wealthy at all and was about 90 years old when he died and was unable to modernise the property. I have known the family for years and if there was anything they could do they would have – The property needed alot of work to bring it up to modern standards but was no way in disrepair! I stayed there many a times and the house was always warm and homely and was certainly in liveable condition!!
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Dont care too late for chat his got his way.
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Jason post 1: You come to Jersey to look at a house? and wont come back! how bizarre. we have lots of lovely other things to look at. let me help you.
1, Circus full of clowns just visit the states building. Entrance fee 75.00 each.
2,How many drunk people can you spot on the streets of St. Helier within an hour?.. great for keeping the kids busy.
3,This is good for the kids too as it involves keeping fit and active.
Challenge: start at snow hill and walk to charing cross count how many times you will be verbally abused by ferral children asking for 10 pence and a cigarette. At the end of the challenge count up each of your families tally of swear words thrown at you during that task.
Thats my top three things to do in Jersey. Enjoy!
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Alex,
You say you know the family……. feel free to get in touch, as I would like to hear more about the times before Tom Scott took over the ownership… email me at savewindwardhouse@hotmail.co.uk
You know theres a law that states that deliberate neglect of a property is not a justifiable reason to demolish it…
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Who cares it is a big old house which was on a old Tv show i never saw (and therefore isnt very good)
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I was honestly hoping that this beautiful house could have been saved.
I wrote to the planning department and no doubt others here did too.
The house is a lot more than a building from an 80’s detective series,as far as i’m concerned it was a beautiful piece of architecture from a past century,if every old building was demolished then how will we remember landmarks that have stood for decades.
Some things are meant to be preserved.I know Tom Scott will still be able to sleep at night,there’s no justice.
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