New Plemont homes plans unveiled

The plans would mean two thirds of the site would be returned to nature

Most of an abandoned Jersey holiday camp could be returned to nature for public use under new plans for the site.

BDK Architects has unveiled plans for 30 homes on the Plemont headland.

Under the scheme the three, four and five bedroom homes would be on the south of the site, leaving two thirds of it to be returned to nature.

It is the architect's fifth application to develop the former Pontin's site on the island's north coast.

Next month the States is due to debate whether to try to buy the land through a compulsory purchase order.

Architect Paul Harding said: "If there is no development on the site and everything is removed there would be a loss of economic activity from building the 30 houses."

The new plans move homes further from the north coast cliff path

Last month a separate planning application for 73 self-catering apartments, a clubhouse and ball court on the headland was rejected.

The Planning Applications Panel said the proposal did not go far enough to improve the environment on the site.

Mr Harding is optimistic the latest plans will be passed though.

He said: "I'm actually very confident with this application, the future of this area would be improved with this scheme.

"There's going to be an environmental improvement in visual and landscape terms from moving the existing buildings, and opening up that northern part of the site to open landscape.

"You'll even be able to see Sorel Point from Les Landes."

Ken Vibert, the constable of St Ouen, told BBC Jersey: "Ten thousand people signed a petition against having any building up there.

"I have stated my case quite clearly that that's what I would prefer.

"But I think we have to be realistic about what might be achieved, so I think these plans are a start on the discussions we are likely to have."

The National Trust for Jersey told the BBC it would wait until after a committee meeting before making a comment on the latest plans.