A group of local environmentalists have seized the chance to explore what the whole of Les Creux Country Park, including the building, could look like if reimagined for Community and Biodiversity.
Group spokeswoman Sheena Brockie said that Les Creux Country Park was a unique space within the Island. Situated above Beauport Bay, St. Brelade, the park is approximately 250 vergées, which includes a diverse variety of habitats such as pasture and arable fields, acid grassland, woodland, pond/marsh/wetland habitats and coastal heathland.
Les Creux Millennium Country Park was established as part of a Millennium project to create a natural open space within walking distance of the Les Quennevais area.
Jersey Property Holdings are looking for proposals to manage Les Creux Pavilion Building.
At the same time, it has become clear that the fields that make up most of the Country Park are no longer wanted for potato farming. This represents a unique opportunity.
Sheena said: ‘Imagine the former Bowls Club building as a thriving community hub, a community space with a café and farm shop, facilities for environmental and nature-based education, health and wellbeing opportunities and a space for exhibitions and cultural showcases.
‘Then imagine what the Country Park could become. Consider the opportunities available; a village green, complete with community orchard, community gardening, pollinator patches, native tress, kids’ wild play and sensory play areas, surrounded by an ambling path; additional allotments, to include fully accessible allotments and mini allotments as an introduction to gardening for families; a central smallholding opportunity for local food supply; a wildflower meadow with paths and picnic area, new native woodland areas, wetland and woodland areas; and mosaic planting to support biodiversity.’
The bare bones of the project are already in place. The land falls within the existing Country Park, the building is empty and awaiting a future, and there are parking and toilet facilities on site.
Sheena Brockie, who is also Grow Jersey co-founder and designer of the Grow model, said: ‘What a unique opportunity we have re revisit land use across this whole area, in such a way that it can benefit both our people and our wildlife in a cohesive way. According to the Mental Health Foundation, research shows that people who are connected with nature are usually happier in life, generating many positive emotions such as calmness, joy and creativity.
‘The biodiversity crisis will require co-operation at all levels of society, from governmental interventions to local community action. We must connect our community to nature, in order to protect it, and in this project, we enhance the experience for both the people and the biodiversity.’
Another member of the group, Dr Jonathan Renouf, added: ‘It is clear that we have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine the Les Creux country park, so it becomes an extraordinary community resource. I am profoundly grateful to Sheena Brockie and her colleagues for their inspiring work to show one possible vision of what Les Creux could become.
‘Now it is over to the community. We need to hear what the public think, what they want from the site, to see what other great ideas are lurking out there.
A discussion paper in full can be viewed on General 1 – thegoodjerseylife.business website.
An open afternoon at Les Creux is being arranged and will be advertised separately.
For further information about Les Creux project please contact: Sheena Brockie, The Good Jersey Life: thegoodjerseylife.business; E-mail – sheena.brockie@gmail.com T: 07797 762474
