The National Trust for Jersey is opening a new community hub in the north of the island.

The Seaside Cafe has been at the centre of debate for the past few years and has, in the past year, been gifted to the people of Jersey by the government.

READ: Public survey opens into future of Grève de Lecq site

Islanders were given the choice of leaving the cafe as it is and refurbishing it, building something completely on top, or demolishing the site and returning the area to nature.

Most people want to see the cafe retained and turned into a community hub, with only a handful asking for the area to be turned green again.

This includes keeping the free parking, creating disabled access to the promenade, a family-friendly eaterie and facilities for marine sports.

This choice is also the Trust's preferred option, as it can upcycle the existing buildings and materials.

The National Trust for Jersey will give the Seaside Cafe some TLC, with 'aesthetic enhancements' so the building better suits its environment.

The original farmhouse and World War II are protected heritage sites and will be kept, but additional bike storage, showers, and charging stations for e-bikes and electric vehicles will be added, to encourage sustainable travel and improve facilities.

There will be summertime concerts, artisans markets, exhibitions pop-up food stalls and a mobile sauna during the meantime.

Jersey's tiny, green lizards are also a focus for the Trust, which wants to improve biodiversity in the bay, creating better habitats in the dunes.

Their ideal habitats are cliffs, dunelands and coastal heathlands where they can bask in the sun, lay their eggs and feed.

Enhancing the dunes around Greve de Lecq allows female lizards to lay their eggs, which are buried in the sand and among vegetation.

Green lizard. Credit: National Trust for Jersey

CEO of National Trust for Jersey, Alan Le Maistre says the Trust understands the public importance and sensitivity surrounding this site and we have listened carefully to what people would like to see.

"Over the next few months, we will be appointing a design team to help us create a shared vision for the site which reflects the key outcomes of the consultation."

Mr Le Maistre says they will aim to create a multi-purpose community hub which acts as a gateway to the North Coast, supporting and promoting Jersey marine conservation efforts and the broader work of the Trust.

"We hope to create a shared space that benefits many stakeholders and everyone who loves the bay.

"It is hoped that work will commence in 2026 with plans made available to the public in Summer 2025."