Government of Jersey

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A decision made (04/10/2007) regarding: Alfresco Area - 9 The Esplanade, St. Helier.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2007-0087
Decision Summary Title :	DS Alfresco 9 The Esplanade		Date of Decision Summary:	18th September
Decision Summary Author:	David St George		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	WR Request for an Alfresco area at No 9 The Esplanade		Date of Written Report:	18th September
Written Report Author:	David St George		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Request for an alfresco area at Fresh Catering, No. 9 The Esplanade
Decision(s): The Minister agreed to support the request for an alfresco area of approximately 8.2m by 1.5m width at No. 9 The Esplanade, for a trial period of 1 year
Reason(s) for Decision: The proposed alfresco area should add to the ambiance and vibrancy of the street. The area is detached from the Café frontage however and a trial period of 1 year is proposed in order that the safe passage of pedestrians between the Café and the afresco area can be assessed.
Resource Implications: The area will be provided entirely at the expense of the applicant and an appropriate fee paid to the Parish of St Helier.
Action required: Inform the Connétable of St Helier, who may issue the applicant with a licence.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Alfresco Area - 9 The Esplanade, St. Helier.

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

REQUEST FOR AN “ALFRESCO” AREA AT No. 9 The ESPLANADE

Purpose of the Report

The Connetables of the Parishes administer “Alfresco” licences on public roads through the provisions of the Customary Law (Choses Publique) (Jersey) Law 1993, but are required to gain the consent of the Minister when the area is administered by Transport and Technical Services, as in this instance.

Background

A request for an “alfresco” area has been received from “Fresh Catering” which has recently moved into premises at No. 9 The Esplanade. The area requested is as shown on the attached plan.

Discussion

The proposed “alfresco” area of approximately 8.2m by 1.5m width will be in line with one of a number of recently installed granite planters and as such will not impede the through route for pedestrians using the north side footpath of the Esplanade. Customers and waiters will however have to cross over the public footway to access the “alfresco” area. The Department would favour an arrangement where the “alfresco” area is adjacent to the premises to avoid conflict with members of the public on the footpath. In this instance however this would not be possible because of the location of the granite planters.

The area will be set back 450mm from the road edge and its users protected from passing vehicles by a railing. A clear width of 2m will be required from the protruding granite wall façade of the building (the proposed area has been reduced in size from the original proposal following discussions with the applicant in order to take account of those requirements).

The application has the support of both businesses immediately adjacent to “Fresh Catering”.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to advise the Connetable of St Helier that the request is supported for a trial period of 1 year to ensure that conflict with pedestrians on the footway does not occur, and on condition that a railing is provided by the applicant to the Department’s specification.

Reason(s) for Decision

Alfresco areas are normally approved where pedestrians can be safely accommodated, and there are no other obvious disadvantages to the public, in support of the vibrancy and economy of the town centre.

Action Required

Inform the applicant and the Connetable of St Helier.

Written by:	David St George
Approved by:	Caroline Anderson - Transport

Attachments: Letter and plan from Mr M Whitson of “Fresh Catering”