The Second World War commemoration stone on Noirmont headland Picture: TONY PIKE (00883220)

WHAT is the old holiday camp site on Plémont headland worth?

No one really knows, because so much depends on what can be done with it, but the price will certainly be measured in millions of pounds rather than thousands.

We do, however, know what the headland at Noirmont was considered to be worth at the beginning of the 1950s, when the States agreed that it, together with the property known as Warren Farm, would be bought for the benefit of Islanders.

On 17 January 1950 the House spent next to no time voting to spend the astounding sum of £8,800 on the headland and the farm, which were offered as a single lot.

The headland is a popular choice for dog owners

The vendors, who might well have lived to regret the price agreed although they knew at the time that they were being offered less than market value, were Mrs Catherine May de Gruchy and Mrs Hope May Dixon.

Although the sale was completed in 1950, plans to acquire the area for the public were being made shortly after the Liberation.

By January 1947, just under £2,000 had been raised by public subscription and when the sale eventually went through the balance was paid from States funds.

However, although the headland was envisaged as an open space for Islanders and visitors to enjoy, it was also acquired as a memorial to those killed in the Second World War.

A covenant was placed on the acquisition and this stipulated that no new buildings should be erected other than a single monument or memorial.

The granite memorial ultimately created can still be seen near the German fortifications towards the southern extremity of the headland.

However, it is clear that the terms of the covenant have been modified because a second memorial, dedicated to US sailors lost in a PT boat action, can now be seen nearby.

Noirmont headland viewed from Bellozanne chimney

Repairs, costing £500, were carried out in the 1950s at Warren Farm and a barrier, called the rabbit fence, was put up to separate the headland from Noirmont Manor.

This cost £600 and it was agreed that its upkeep should be the responsibility of the States.
In 1985 Noirmont hit the headlines in a way that contrasted sharply with its low-key acquisition in 1950, which merited just two short paragraphs in the Evening Post’s report on States proceedings.

St Brelade’s Social Club wanted to create a football pitch on part of the headland, but this was fiercely opposed by the Jersey Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association.

Led by chairman Sam Senett, RAFA opposition was successful and Noirmont remains in an unspoilt state today – if the intrusive but fascinating remains of its German bunkers, command centres, tower and gun emplacements are excepted.