Plans For Seasonal Yurt Campsite In St Ouen

A Jersey wedding and event business has submitted plans for what it calls the island's first 'Sustainable Glampsite'.

Jersey Organic Yurts wants to build five yurts in St Ouen to use during the summer months.

The planning application says the tourist accommodation and 'temporary ancillary support trailers' would be in place annually between 1 April and 30 September.

It asks for a temporary change of use of Field No. O1585 on Le Chemin du Moulin - which is within the Coastal National Park - from agriculture to tourism.

JOY says there is a 'great opportunity to pioneer a small model of sustainable tourism that everyone, and everything, can benefit from.'

It says the aim is to give Jersey a sustainable campsite that not only has a minimal impact on the environment, but actually improves the habitat.

The site would be vehicle-free, with visitors encouraged to use EvieBikes. Lifts and guided tours would be offered to people who can't cycle.

JOY says the main objective of the campsite is for people to immerse themselves in nature and outdoor activities from walking and foraging to surfing, climbing, kayaking, and more.

 Credit: Jersey Organic Yurts 

Corinne Davey - one of the owners of Jersey Organic Yurts which rents out tents for weddings, parties, and corporate events - says there's a gap in the market.

"We get asked all the time for people to come and stay in our yurts and we are always sad when we can't offer them that.  We have been around for ten years and we get enquiries every year for people to come and stay.

I know there are several campsites in Jersey, but this is something slightly different. It is very much environmentally focused.

It is going to be a special campsite. One that really cares about its guests, but also encourages them to care about the space that they are using."

Corinne says if the campsite is given the green light, they will also improve the environmental status of the area they are using;

"At the moment it is a bit of a no man's land.  While it is of some ecological value, it could definitely be improved. 

In addition to setting up our yurts for the season, we are going to be working on improving the green corridors and the hedgerows and making sure the species that are already there are going to flourish."

You can read more on the plans here.