The Dawson family first applied for permission to build a 100-unit complex on a green zone field at l’Abri Farm in 2014.
At the time, Rose Dawson’s architects said that there was a lack of storage in the east of the Island and that a number of former facilities had now been built on. The plans attracted a great deal of support from the boating community, with the Rozel Boatowners Association, Jersey Seafaris and St Martin Deputy Steve Luce all getting behind the project.
However, neighbours lodged strong opposition to the development citing concerns such as noise, traffic and the potential impact on the character of the area.
Mrs Dawson’s application was eventually turned down and two subsequent applications also suffered the same fate. However, in September it was announced that Mrs Rose had successfully appealed against the decision – when Assistant Environment Minister Anne Pryke accepted a UK planning inspector’s recommendation that the yard should be built.
Mrs Dawson said that the facility may not have been built had it not been for the amount of public support she had received.
‘Over the last three years we have been been to Planning three times with the idea and had it turned down,’ she said.
‘We had an enormous amount of support when it came to the third time – we had about 50-60 letters in favour of it – and it is only because of that support that I kept on going.
‘There are a number of conditions attached to permission, such as putting in hedging and altering the existing entrance to improve visibility, but we are happy to follow them. No one is allowed to carry out maintenance on the yard but I am hoping to have an off-site service set up soon.’
She added that there had already been a good response to the opening of the site, which features security fencing and CCTV.
‘We have a few boats in there already and we are all insured so we are hoping that it fills up soon. There has been a huge amount of interest, which is really exciting, but we are getting to the end of the season so I do not know if we have missed out being able to take some boats.’
