A proposal to transform a former seaside restaurant in Jersey into a holiday accommodation property and cafe has moved a step closer to approval after receiving support from a key government department.
The Jersey Holiday Let Plan focuses on a property at La Pulente in the parish of St Brelade. The site overlooks St Ouen’s Bay and has remained largely unused since the restaurant operating there closed unexpectedly in November 2023 after only a short period in business.
The current owners submitted the latest planning application in March. Their proposal seeks permission to create a two-bedroom self-catering holiday apartment alongside a smaller seaside cafe.
Although the project has gained support from the Department for the Economy, a final planning decision has not yet been made.
Officials believe the development could help meet growing demand for visitor accommodation while also bringing new economic activity to the area.
In its assessment of the proposal, the Department for the Economy stated that holiday accommodation remains in high demand across Jersey. The department said the combination of a cafe and self-catering accommodation would provide multiple sources of income and reduce the risk of the property remaining vacant in the future.
According to officials, the area has experienced a decline in available visitor accommodation in recent years. They believe adding a new holiday rental property could help address that shortage while providing tourists with a unique place to stay.
The department also highlighted the economic benefits that additional visitors could bring to businesses in the western part of St Ouen’s Bay.
Officials noted that self-catering accommodation has been one of the few tourism sectors to show growth in recent years. This trend, they said, demonstrates strong demand from visitors looking for flexible holiday options.
The proposal would create a two-bedroom apartment designed for short-term visitor stays. Supporters of the project argue that such accommodation aligns with current tourism trends and offers a practical use for the site.
The Department for the Economy also pointed to financial considerations. It said accommodation businesses generally produce higher profit margins than restaurants, making them more productive operations.
At the same time, the proposed cafe would be smaller than the previous restaurant, which officials believe could make it easier to manage and operate successfully.
The department concluded that the development could improve productivity and support broader economic goals for the island.
However, the project still faces planning scrutiny.
The site has been the subject of several planning applications since the restaurant closed. Previous proposals have included different versions of visitor accommodation and cafe developments.
Not all of those applications have been successful.
In 2024, initial plans for self-catering accommodation were rejected. Revised proposals were later submitted but were also refused during 2025 due to concerns about their impact on the surrounding landscape.
The matter remained controversial because of the property’s location in a highly valued coastal area.
In October 2025, Jersey’s Environment Minister, Steve Luce, dismissed an appeal linked to one of the earlier applications after planning permission had been refused.
Planning inspectors have repeatedly raised concerns about protecting the character and natural beauty of the coastline.
During previous reviews, planning inspector Nigel McGurk stated that developments which reduce the appeal of the location cannot be viewed as positive contributions to the area.
Those concerns are expected to remain part of the ongoing planning assessment.
Supporters of the latest application argue that the revised plans strike a better balance between economic benefits and environmental protection. They believe the project would bring new life to a vacant property while supporting tourism and local businesses.
The future of the former restaurant site now depends on the final planning decision. If approved, the development could provide a new holiday destination overlooking one of Jersey’s most scenic coastal areas while also introducing a cafe for residents and visitors.
For now, the Jersey Holiday Let Plan has cleared an important hurdle, but the final outcome will depend on whether planning authorities conclude that the economic benefits outweigh concerns about the site’s impact on the surrounding landscape.
