Les Ormes: rejection is “massive blow” to tourism

Thursday 21 November 2019

A £14million leisure project has been scuppered after the application was rejected this morning by the Planning Committee – a move which Les Ormes have labelled a “massive blow” to the tourism industry and which they say has stalled millions of pounds worth of charitable donations.

The leisure centre have already indicated their intention to appeal the decision.

The application involved the demolition of the existing tennis hall, to give way to 44 one-bed units, two 2-bed units, 13 four-bed units and one 6-bed accommodation unit and it was hoped that the expansion would allow the Foundation to give away £1million annually to charitable and community projects by 2030. 

Pictured: The application to build multiple accommodation units has been rejected.

The Planning Committee, made up of States Members, were split over the application’s fate, but ultimately concerns about development in the Green Zone, one of the large accommodation blocks being out of character with the site and the impact on the original listed structure meant that it was ultimately rejected.

Panel members Deputies Kirsten Morel and Rowland Huelin followed the recommendation of the Planning Officer to approve the plans. Whereas, the Committee’s Chairman Deputy Russell Labey and co-panellists Deputy Scott Wickenden and Constable Philip Le Sueur voted to refuse.

The majority decision and the reasoning for the rejection will be confirmed at the Committee’s meeting next month.  

Pictured: The Planning Committee were split on the fate of the application.

Reacting to the news, Les Ormes have vowed to appeal the decision, saying: “We are bitterly disappointed as this is a massive blow to the tourism industry. This will severely affect the amount Bosdet, the Foundation that owns Les Ormes, can donate to local charities. We will be appealing.”