It’s time to draw the line
Tuesday 30th June 2009, 3:00PM BST.
Mike Stentiford and Charles Alluto of the National Trust for Jersey are launching the campaign to protect Jersey’s coastline. Picture by Tony Pike (00729329)
A MAJOR campaign is launched today to urge thousands of Islanders to gather on the beach at St Ouen’s Bay for an unprecedented show of support for Jersey’s coastline.
In scenes reminiscent of the iconic Jersey Side by Side post-tsunami message in 2005, the National Trust for Jersey wants Islanders to join hands and form a line stretching from Le Braye towards L’Etacq.
The organisation hopes that the event, dubbed ‘A Line in the Sand’, which is being supported by the Jersey Evening Post, will send out the most powerful statement yet that Jersey’s under-threat coastline should be preserved.
Mike Stentiford, the president of the National Trust for Jersey, who came up with the idea earlier this year, said: ‘This is all about making a statement that many people value the coastline and want to retain its wilderness.
‘I feel frustrated because we never seem to get anywhere with protecting the environment. There does generally seem to be a lack of respect for parts of Jersey’s coastline.
It is hoped that thousands of Islanders, including schoolchildren and community groups, will take part in the mass gathering, which will take place at 2 pm on Sunday 4 October.
Mike Stentiford and Charles Alluto of the National Trust for Jersey are launching the campaign to protect Jersey’s coastline. Picture by Tony Pike (00729329)
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Why did Mike Stenford not speak up for Havre-des-pas. An incinerator is currently being constructed there and who knows what environmental damage that will cause. It’s too late in the day to organise a crowd of protestors to save the coastline of Havre-des-Pas.
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ABSOLUTELY…! could there be a more worthwhile cause, the developers have their eyes on the five mile road and must get the message loud and clear that it is out of bounds,including any National park scheme that is in fact a veiled cloak of deceipt where words are weaved into the fine print, a la Cohen,”Limited development” in other words let’s look like we are protecting when in fact we seek a law change so we can come in under the normal radar, and develop any way,, any public spirited individual with an ounce of respect and appreciation of nature will want this truly spectacular place preserved,a simple code should prevail,only redevelopment on existing buildings,and same height and footprint,unlike the el tico which was a scandal of policy and the whole planning committee were overuled by one man ..Yes Freddie Cohen,also the uncaring and despicable violation of Le Petit Fort..this type of action should be a a statutory offence.so his park scam does not wash with me having lost trust,The fabulous sweep of the bay has remained in a state of grace natural and unspoilt for years and to keep it that way for our children will cost nothing,£0..except determination.be sure there are many of us who are…..
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Why the narrow definition of ‘maintain it as a wilderness’. This is a typical ‘lets sit in our car and watch the birdies’ approach.
Why not take the realistic view of Ramsar that espouses ‘wise use’ and the cultural and sustainable uses of the marine environment.
Its a real part of the working world for many people who want to maintain it not stick it in aspic.
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Excellent idea but why do it in October when it’s likely to be pouring with rain…? surely August or early September when the beach is likely to be full already would guarantee a stronger turnout?
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It is not exactly a pristine wilderness. What with all those neolithic developers leaving menhirs and tumuli all over the place and you cannot walk 20 feet without tripping over a German bunker or Napoleonic era fort. Let alone an airport, gravel pits, golf courses, night clubs, farms and housing that exist.
If we want tourists then there need to be adequate facilities to attract them to the area. Some limited development should be allowed as long as it is unobtrusive and in keeping with the locale. Then again the Planning Department cannot be relied on given their penchant for letting developers build whatever they like as long as it was designed by a UK architect that has no idea about the site, nor can the States be entrusted with this.
What you need is an independant organisation to help vet any laws and plans for development, but it must be flexible and it must develop popular support. You can draw all the lines in the sand you want, or stick your head in the sand but what is needed is organisation to force change in policy and regulation.
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Hi Guys
Look on google earth, see the areas from space that are being abused in Jersey
The quarry and the sand pit are top of my list.
This is only a distraction a well intentioned distraction I am sure.
let the golf courses go back to nature first.
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Quite agree with Mr Stentiford. However, at the moment with all the hundreds of houses/flats for sale there does not seem to be much demand for yet more housing.
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‘build whatever they like as long as it was designed by a UK architect that has no idea about the site,’
Oh you can’t say that. All the locals will start complaining about foreigners taking their jobs and go on about j-cats. I can predict that well before it happens.
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Build St.Ouens bay into a Benidorm style high rise resort! think of the tourism, money and jobs created. what a great idea! i,m all for it.Well lets face it the island is ruined by other developments, may as well carry on?
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RE Post 5:
Indeed St Ouen’s Bay is not a pristine wilderness. There are very few such areas in Europe, and no wilderness exists here. But that does not mean that non-wilderness areas have no ecological importance and need no conservation. The sand dune area has many species of plant that are threatened with or vulnerable to extinction.
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Why is it that NOBODY except me ever mentions the devastion and rape of La Saline Bay on the New North Road? The quarry is in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.
The tourists (or should I say our endangered species) are often to be seen taking photos and videos of it while they clutch their sides.
I’ve been in touch with the National Trust but they don’t seem to be interested.
Treat yourselves this weekend – go down and have a look at it!
I do, however, wish the organisers of the forthcoming event every success…. every little helps.
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