We’ve drawn the line!
Monday 5th October 2009, 3:00PM BST.
Thousands stood shoulder to shoulder from Le Braye to l'Etacq
AN estimated 7,000 Islanders stood shoulder to shoulder along St Ouen’s Bay yesterday for one of the most spectacular demonstrations ever seen in Jersey.
Islanders of all ages formed a huge human chain stretching from Le Braye to just short of L’Etacq as the National Trust for Jersey’s long-awaited A Line in the Sand coastline rally swung into action.
And when the line was finally formed, participants looked to the sky, waved and cheered as a plane swooped overhead and an aerial picture was taken of the three-mile-long chain.
Organisers say the protest sent out the strongest message yet that the era of building large, out-of-character properties on Jersey’s precious coastline must come to an end. And today, less that 24 hours after the event ended, Environment Minister Freddie Cohen revealed that the rally would affect future planning decisions.
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
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Let everybody in the line give the National trust for Jersey £2000 each so they can buy the land. Perhaps that is to easy or to expensive as you would like everybody to go without services for your whim
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It could turn out that the line in the sand is the event that draws the line under Senator Cohen’s political career at the next set of elections.
Any politician that is still thinking that the population can be ignored completely may find themselves polishing their CV after the next set of elections!
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It takes 7,000 people to finally make Cohen realise he is accepting far too many building plans. He needs to go!
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What a wonderful sight to see 7000 people showing their support for the coastline. I hope the politians from the North, East, South and West take note!
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Well done everyone for coming out and showing solidarity….one of the best things to happen in our community for some time..take heart from it…this is OUR home…
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Jerseyjag (in the first posting) appears to have completely missed the point of yesterday’s demonstration.
The people lined up along the beach were not there because any lack of services. The issue was to end the odious and socially destructive practice of building large, out-of-character properties on Jersey’s precious coastline.
However, “there are none so blind as those who will not see”. The original commentator appears to be one of those.
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jerseyjag, what a load of tosh, we were there to show we want a stop to coastal development, not to stop the service industry, whch, by the way has no need for further development in the island at present, were not fillng out hotels, guest houses and B&B’s because the sland contnues to be an expensve colder verson of spanish resorts, so why spoil t further by letting millionaires and idot planning developers ruin our island, where we do pay thousands to people, the states, which, if you hadn’t realised was who ths petition was aimed at!
well done all for turning up and showing your support for the national trust and mike stentiford (who’d get my vote if he ran for the states!)
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The likelyhood of politicians listening to the people is slim….
but remember, so much of history comes from below
If it matters that much then we have the power to act as we believe!!!
Its tough to choose when to fight, but lets hope jersey doesnt leave it till its too late…
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Well done to all those that turned up. It is nice to see some care about their environment. Its about time all this rampant development was knocked on the head.
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Well done to the people of Jersey, as a regular visitor to the Island for over 30 years I only wish both my wife and myself could have been there to join the chain of people.
Mike Smith,
Newark
Notts.
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Firstly, may I say that I agree with Jerseykier’s initial comment, Jerseyjag, the issue of our coastline has been in the forefront for many years, thanks to Mike Stentiford and many others.
They have strived hard to ensure that this issue is FINALLY being heard. However, WHY does it have to take 7000 concerned locals of this beautiful Island to turn out like we did, for the likes of Mr Cohen and the rest of our politicians to hear our plea? Surely he too would still like to see our coastline stay, our puffins to stay (of which I understand we now only have as few as 5 breeding pairs) we used to have 100′s? I for one, do not want to be walking my cliff paths amongst a hybrid Hong Kong…
WELL DONE Mike Stentiford, Jersey National Trust and 7000 “Thankyou’s” for making this happen! It was amazing to be part of this critical demonstration!!
Oh, and by the way…Mike, you’d get my vote if you stood for the States too!!
Well Done Everybody!!!
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7000 standing on the sand and 80,000 with there head in it!
Hope this has more success than “save the pav” daft frog statues, & even dafter figures of sculptures of frogs with multiple legs!
It would be a fine achievement indeed if Jersey stopped the Alice in wonderland image that it has at the present, upside down banannas included.
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Well done the National Trust and a big thank you to our Fantastic Charismatic Mike Stentiford, who knows how to muster the Public !!
Please now, Surely the Politicians must now take notice . We have the power to hire or fire those in office, so they should take notice of why we are demonstrating. Enough is enough to the greed and rape of this island for money. The next generation must inherit the coastline, and not piles of concrete
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well done to all who turned out , i remember the gst demonstrations , the petitions that were signed, all to no avail.
hope i am wrong thinking ,nothing will change.
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I could not help but notice the number of parked cars along the road and in thecar parks.
Just out of interest, could somone please let us know how many used the special bus service which was laid on. On the basis tahtit would have cost a family of four £12 return, my guess is not many !
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Great comment in the bbc website quote “Politicians in Jersey cannot ignore the strength of feeling over inappropriate development on the island’s coastline, the planning minister has said.”
Mr Cohen wake up and smell the coffee, you make the ultimate decision to build or not to build. So if you REALLY support the coastline and other issues environmental issues, be BRAVE and say NO!
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Ive been visiting your island for decades and its great to see that so many of you still care its for the natural beauty and wonderful coastline. The north coast is so lovely and peaceful to walk. It would be such a pity to see it developed in any way. It needs to be managed and preserved, not developed. Your island has so many gems, Portelet common, the green lanes, St Ouens etc etc. So good to see so many care
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Well done everyone.
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Just a note…
During the baltic states fight for independence a human chain of more than two million people was formed, stretching through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. 2 years later they had what they were after.
Keep showing your solidarity and good luck with the revolution!
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Congratulations to Mike Stentiford and also to all who turned out and made such a great declaration of what is needed, or rather not needed. Like # I wish I had been there but am overseas. I was there in spirit and encouraged all my family to go!
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To the Politicians of Jersey:
WAKE UP and smell the REVOLUTION!
The people are tired of the way things are run and are ready to stand up in mass and show it.
To those who turned out:
“WELL DONE!”
To those who couldn’t make it:
Please be there next time, Jersey needs your support!
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Born Warrior
“To the Politicians of Jersey:
WAKE UP and smell the REVOLUTION!”
Unfortunately the only thing most of the politicians smell is money.
The same goes for the establishment and the section of the population who allowed those politicans to get into control.
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Having enjoyed many holidays to the Island, myself and my wife have watched in disbelief at the changes both structural and in attitude which have unfortunately resulted in our no longer making the island our first choice for a holiday. On our first visit to the island 20 years ago our impression was of a community which enjoyed a slower pace of life in quality surroundings. Our last visit last year was spent in St Helier. It must have taken a fair amount of effort to get the waterfront design so wrong. I wish you all the best in your efforts to preserve what is left of your coastline.
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Perhaps we could have a line in the sand reprise
to get the states politicians out of the door.
Saying no to GST resulted in two fingers being put up to us “the people” hence theres power in numbers, perhaps its time for a greater stance in that we vote with our feet, after all theres thousands of us being bullied by an archaic minority. Anybody in???
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Was anyone issued with a parking fine because I believe the traffic wardens are working hard in Gorey on a Sunday.
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Well done to everyone else who braved the chill winds to stand in line, it was an amazing experience to take part in and a wonderful sight to see…
JerseyJag I feel for you while you stand alone bitterly looking on at the 7,000+ who stand united in hope of a better life.
Thank you Mike Stentiford for organising the event.
Planning its not to late to change your ways…..
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Thank you Alan Slonaker..for bothering to join in and remind us who live here of the view from outside…the latent greed within can see only MONEY
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R B Bougourd
Re: …The same goes for the establishment and the section of the population who allowed those politicans to get into control…
Those who allowed Jersey’s current politicians to get into power are not the people who voted but the people who didn’t!
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Post #25:
“Was anyone issued with a parking fine because I believe the traffic wardens are working hard in Gorey on a Sunday.”
That may or may not have been the case. It certainly did not bother all those who spent the early afternoon in a completely different parish: St Ouen!
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On reflection, it seems to me that the seven thousand people who demonstrated on the beach at St Ouen last Sunday were not only protesting the destruction of Jersey’s coastline and cliffs.
Consciously or subliminally, they were probably venting all their hatred and abhorrence of the cynical and self-serving manner in which our island is currently “governed”.
After all, surreptitiously daubing roadsigns and walls with the ‘V’ sign is so passe these days.
Just a thought, thassorl.
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We are told we need another Industry to suppport the Finance Industry that is currently flagging and at the same time the Politicians allow numerous Hotels to be turned into Apartments. Well, if you want to bring the Vistors back, for years Plemont was a Holiday Camp; what is wrong with siting a Center Parc there. This may just bring back the Visitors that this Island is sorely missing at the moment.
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Sorry, but I really don’t think a line in the sand will stop some developers building houses.
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What a fantasic site to behold. I have never seen anything like it!
I wish I had been there!
Well done everyone!!
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I think that this was a very good idea of a protest
Well done to everybody who turned up at St.Ouen to join the “3 mile” chain
Once again I would just like to say this was a great idea, and well done to who ever came up with this idea.
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It must have been an amazing sight to see, hope the message goes into effect
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this was a good idea well done
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The line in the sand was a good idea but I think it won’t change much.
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i’m sorry John but i think that by drawing the line we have shown the goverment that we dont want the houses being built.
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I think that the line in the sand is a good idea but to be honest i don’t think it will help the community
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Good effort to bring back the cost!
Hope it works!
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A huge ‘thank you’ to one and all for your wonderful support and very kind comments – the success of the event was entirely due to your enthusiastic involvement. We live in a remarkably beautiful island and we must all strive to keep it that way – and that means everyone, including States Members!
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Seems I have a clone?
The line in the sand was a good idea and demonstrated the depth of feeling regarding coastal development of a certain type, i.e. overlarge and of a style out of character with their surroundings and liable to cause privatization of the foreshore on a permanent basis.
I don’t believe anyone attending the event was under the illusion that it would bring an immediate halt to all coastal development but I do think that Senator Cohen has boxed himself in politically by trying to mediate rather than stating categorically what will and will not be allowed, for instance:
1)No oversized buildings on the skyline
2)No multiple developments on coastal plots formed by knocking down habitable or refurbish able buildings which would result in over development of a site.
3)No deforestation or stylized landscaping of natural coastal hillside and headlands.
4)No excessive security provisions such as prison style security fencing,or over use of warning signs or security lighting.
5)No blocking of coastal access where there is an established right of way.
6)No displacement of established wildlife or historic buildings of special interest, or ancient monuments.
As for existing developments already approved, it would appear these are a “Fait accomplis!”in the Senator’s book, and people will have to accept that, whatever they are? they will all be done “In the best possible taste”, whatever that happens to be at the time of the application.
Oh well there’s always dynamite
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i think this is a good idea for the jersey national trust and well done for saving the coast
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they should have used a ruler!
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What happens around Jersey’s coastline over the next 10 years will, to a large extent, be determined by the new Island Plan.
This is out for consultation now. Be properly informed and check it out – http://consult.gov.je/portal/. This is your formal opportunity to make your views known about the actual policies and proposals that will help to protect and shape the Island.
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#33 James LC
“What a fantasic site to behold.”
What a fantastic Freudian slip!
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MIKE STENTIFORD. we need more like you…the cynical money grabbers are all too quick to poo hoo anyone who is sensitive enough or conscious enough to appreciate the beautiful place we have inherited and that we have a duty of care to it,no one lives forever so we are just the current custodians….what we do will affect long term…now for the get it all now at all cost thinkers,their selfishness beggars belief..it was only here for our enjoyment because the folks who have passed on left it as it was in pristine condition…please let us all learn from this…and if you won’t ..please just go…leave….The place won’t love you.
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What do a Nobel Laureate in Physics and the man-in-the-street have in common?
Their votes count the same!
Think about it. The problem being discussed here is the result of the last elections. And some of those who voted would be hard-pressed to form an opinion on anything, let alone key issues. This is not because they are stupid or don’t care, but simply because the average citizen tends to believe election promises.
Nonetheless, people should be encouraged to vote…but only when they truly understand the issues they’re voting on.
Therefore, it is the duty of all those who have “actual-fact-knowledge” to keep the public informed. Otherwise, the power to decide will always be in the hands of people whose decisions are hard to fathom.
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