Plan for site to be holiday let and cafe a step closer

A latest planning application for a former restaurant in Jersey to be turned into a holiday let and seaside cafe has been backed by one government department.

The site at La Pulente, in the parish of St Brelade overlooking St. Ouen's Bay, closed as a restaurant unexpectedly in November 2023 after just a few months of operation.

Since then, several applications have been made to change its use, including previous plans for a cafe and self-catering accommodation, with the current owners' plan submitted in March.

The Department for the Economy has said in a letter that a two-bedroom apartment and cafe would meet "high demand" for holiday accommodation. A final planning decision is still pending.

It said a "diversification of income streams" in the form of both a cafe and visitor accommodation would "reduce the risk" of the site remaining vacant.

"This location has suffered from a loss of accommodation from the supply in recent years so bringing more into the market offers both an opportunity for visitors to stay in a unique location and contributes to economic activity at this end of St Ouen's bay," it added.

Meanwhile, it said self-catering accommodation was the only type to have grown in recent years, which it said highlighted "strong visitor demand" and the benefits for the owners.

With higher profit margins, accommodation businesses were "more productive" than restaurants, it added, while a "smaller" cafe would be easier to operate.

"Overall, the application would represent greater productivity potential at a time when there is a clear need to improve economic productivity across the Island," it said.

In October 2025, Jersey Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce dismissed an appeal after plans for self-catering accommodation were refused.

Initial plans for self-catering holiday accommodation had also been rejected in 2024, and revised plans were also turned down earlier in 2025 due to concerns about the impact on the landscape.

In planning documents, planning inspector Nigel McGurk said any development that "detracts from the appeal of its location cannot be considered a positive contribution".

The applicant's agent, J Design Limited, declined to comment.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.