Castle plans receive approval

The refurbishment of the castle is to cost about £3m

The majority of proposals to restore one of Jersey's oldest and most famous landmarks have been approved by the island's Planning Committee.

Months of consultation and debate about Jersey Heritage Trust's £3m plans for Mont Orgueil Castle came to a conclusion at a public meeting.

A controversial plan to put a roof over the Tudor Great Hall was approved.

But proposals to put conference and function facilities in one part of the castle, and to put toilets in the D-shaped space, were rejected.

The Trust submitted plans for the castle's refurbishment in January.

Conservation plan

They came after a £30,000 conservation plan which took years to compile.

Objections were raised about the Trust's treatment of the Great Hall and plans to install toilets and other services for visitors.

An independent UK expert oversaw the final decision-making process.

The committee was not happy about plans to rebuild the East Wall with the windows the Trust said were once there.

It was not convinced they were of the same form and it asked for a more neutral treatment of it.