In July, the National Trust for Jersey’s offer of £120,200 – funded from a donation by a wealthy Islander – for three States-owned fields in Pine Walk on the shoreline of St Catherine’s Bay was accepted by Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis.
The charity had expected to take possession of the 11 vergées of prime early-potato-growing land by now but an issue over drains that run under the land, taking surface water from fields above and the roadway to the beach below cropped up when contracts were being drafted.
‘We are still in discussions with the Law Officers’ Department,’ trust chief executive Charles Alluto said.
‘They are dealing with the contract as they are representing the States regarding responsibility for the road drains but we are hoping this will be resolved in the near future so the acquisition can happen before the year end.’
Now the parish of St Martin has stepped in to speed up the process. Constable Karen Shenton-Stone yesterday THURSDAY met the parish’s procureurs du bien public [legal and financial representatives] and they agreed to fund the survey, which costs about £400, to establish if the drains are in good working order.
‘To assist with the transaction, which the parish fully supports, we are contracting a camera survey of the drains which extend under the field which is currently owned by the States,’ she said.
‘The parish was thrilled to bits when the trust acquired the land and we would like it go through. We were only made aware that it was being held up about a month ago and we have acted as quickly as we could.’
Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis said – like Mrs Shenton-Stone – that he was not aware the sale contract was being delayed until recently.
‘I am glad that it is being resolved and that things are moving forward,’ he said.
‘I am looking forward to the National Trust acquiring the land.’
