Earlier this summer the community of motorhome users who regularly stay at Le Port in St Ouen’s Bay again came under the spotlight as St Peter Constable Richard Vibert said that too many people were using the area and he had received ‘too many’ complaints of anti-social behaviour at the site.
Concerns had also been raised that the high number of users was having a negative impact on the protected environment in the area.
In response, the campervan users said that their community was a hotbed of creative talent, that they respect the local environment and they self-police to minimise the bad behaviour of a minority at the site.
And Paul Hymas, a spokesman for Le Port, launched a petition calling for a number of designated areas across the Island to be set up where local people can camp for up to 48 hours, claiming that this would take the pressure off the crowded Le Port area and benefit families.
The petition has received nearly 1,500 signatures prompting a response from Environment Minister John Young, which said that there were environmental issues due to the Le Port area being used.
‘While there is a demand for short-term camping using vehicles designed or adapted for this purpose, this activity has an impact upon the local environment and its enjoyment by the wider community,’ the response said.
‘Jersey’s Coastal National Park, for example, seeks to promote access and enjoyment, but it also seeks to ensure conservation and enhancement of its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
‘The unauthorised use of land at Le Port is having an adverse impact upon this sensitive environment and needs to be managed.’
It added, however, that current regulations were not designed to deal with a ‘local demand’ for short-stay camping outside of designated sites and new legislation would have to determine how ‘best to manage’ this activity.
‘Similarly, the potential cost implications of servicing designated short-term camping sites, were they to be permitted at sites around the Island, would require consideration,’ it said.
The response added that the ‘relevant ministers’ and Constables were due to meet to discuss how the demand for short-term camping in St. Ouen’s Bay was ‘best managed’ in time for next summer.
And it added that consideration woul also be given to the ‘necessity and capacity’ of reviewing current regulations relating to short-stay camping and whether additional sites could be provided and at what cost.
Mr Hymas said that he hoped that the authorities listen to the needs of the motorhome users.
‘I think what [the minister] needs to understand is that we want less rules and regulations that prevents people from camping. People want more of what has been allowed at Le Port to happen elsewhere around the Island,’ he said.
‘Le Port is a very special place to so many people and I believe it should be promoted. Most people who use Le Port look after it and have great respect for the local environment. I would even go as far as saying it’s the cleanest stretch of coastline in Jersey.
‘I hope the authorities, politicians and campers can come together to recognise that and work with us so that more people can go camping on their own Island without breaking the law.
‘I agree that the local natural environment needs to be protected across the Island but people should be allowed to free-camp in designated areas in their spare time. I don’t think it would take much sorting out – just some good will and understanding.’
The minister’s response said that stakeholders and the community would be consulted on the issues raised by the petition.
