3m tall substation and bin store proposed for Gorey promenade

An almost three metre tall and 11 metre wide shed could be built along the promenade at Gorey to house an electrical substation and bin store.

Jersey Electricity and the Parish of St Martin want to build a new shelter to house bins and a substation on an existing part of the gardens at Gorey.

The parish and the utility company say Gorey Pier's electricity supply is at capacity, meaning there would be no opportunity for new businesses to open or for residents to extend their houses.

Mark Preece, Jersey Electricty Chief Operating Officer, says they recognise this is a sensitive project.

"What we're trying to do is to provide a solution in terms of updating the electricity supply, which will benefit all of the businesses and properties along the pier.

"We've tried to do so in such a way that minimises the impact of developing this on the local environment."

Plans show the shed being a maximum of 3.10 metres tall and 10.7 metres wide.

The building will be sunken slightly into the ground, so that it will not be taller than the existing trees in the area.

The parish wants to move the bins away from the public area near the start of the path up the hill to Mont Orgueil Castle, behind the public toilets.

An existing gap in the wall next to the road and parking will be widened to allow for a gate to access the substation and another gate on the north side of the building for the bins.

The shed will also be created out of treated timber to encourage climbing plants to grow on it to help cover its appearance.

Other shrubs, bushes and trees will be planted around it to disguise it from view.To accompany the shelter, the other part of the garden will be redeveloped.

A new path will be created from brown asphalt to three new benches.

New plants will be placed around the border of the garden, which will have a grass centre and a 70 cm wall on the north edge.

The wall will act as a place for the famous green lizards to sunbathe, and the earth in the centre of the new grass will also be mounded to a height of 30 cm to make a habitat for hibernating animals in the colder months.Islanders who have seen the designs and submitted comments on the online planning application are not happy, including a Ms. Le Blond, who is 'absolutely aghast and horrified'.

"We are looking at an application to create an absolute eyesore in an historically beautiful area of Jersey's history.

"As someone who was brought up in this area and still lives only a short distance away, I think it would be a very sad day if this was passed.

"Many years ago, I remember the eyesore German Bunker being destroyed and the picturesque area being restored to its original charm.

"So, why in 2025 is it being proposed to destroy it once again?"

This is an abomination.

The character of the end of the pier area will be ruined.

It will have a tourist impact too, as this is the bus drop off location.

'Welcome to Gorey, here is a substation!'

- Mr Richardson

Deputy Caroyln Labey, who represents Grouville and St Martin and is the island's International Development Minister, has also had her say:

"I must object in the strongest possible terms to the application for an electrical substation and bin store to be facilitated on one of the most iconic and picturesque areas in the island.

"Aside from the fact the utilities have an obvious vital function, they do seem to be able to build in places where most of us would not be permitted.

"Their design has obvious limitations to the aesthetics but in this case, it is the total lack of consideration to the sense of the place.

"The Castle, the green, the port, the boat owners, the promenade, the gardens, the residents, the good food outlets and the vibrant offerings to tourists and locals alike, need to be considered as a whole.

"Thus community and area need and deserve to be nurtured, enhanced, given a sense of place - and celebrated."

Bins smell no matter how clean they are kept, wasps are attracted to them in the height of summer.

Also rats all the year round.

This is not the place for such an eyesore and ugly installation.

- Ms. Tadier

JE COO Mark Peerce says they recognise concerns but have spent more than two years finding a suitable site.

"We've put a lot of hard work into the design and to minimise the visual impact, and some of the mitigations that we've built into the design include the fact that the building will be concealed by trellace that will be cloaked by planting.

"We've also considered developing habitats for local species, such as Wall Lizards, to improve the existing arrangement."

Constable of St Martin Karen Shenton-Stone says this project is not popular, but the pier needs electricity.

"I love Gorey, I visit there a lot.

"I wouldn't propose to put anything there that would be a blot on the landscape, and I would not have approved of it.

"We do need utilities."

Mr Ray-Marks appreciates the logic behind the proposed idea but agrees with the 'passionate' and 'well-reasoned' comments of others.

"I recognise this part of Jersey as a jewel in our crown.

"The gardens for a much-loved public space, and their location - overlooking the harbour, the bay, and the approach to Mont Orgueil - makes them part of one of the most iconic and picturesque visitas on the island.

"The newly constructed outlet on St Aubin's Bay is a Brutalist concrete structure now interrupting one of our most popular seafronts.

"It was meant to be functional and low impact yet has proven to be anything but.

"No amount of greenery will full conceal [the substation] from those perspectives, and certainly not in the years it will take for any planting to mature.

"While the bin problem is a real one, it's hard to believe that there are no better options."