TREASURY AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
PROPERTY HOLDINGS
Property Transaction for Ministerial Decision - Minister for Treasury and Resources
Field 823, Trinity – Sale of Land
PBA 845/21
Purpose
To recommend to the Minister the sale of Field 823, Trinity, to the National Trust for Jersey to ensure the future retention and management of the Jersey Cider Apple Collection.
Background
Field 823, known as Le Clos de la Verte Rue, Trinity, was purchased as part of house, outbuildings and farm land known as Le Rondin Farm in July 1986 from Mr Douglas Wilfred Pinel.
Amounting to 3 vergées 20 perch in area, it became the location of the Jersey Cider Apple Orchard for traditional Jersey apple varieties collected after the great storm of 1987 which destroyed many of Jersey’s remaining apple trees.
The project was suggested and supported financially by the National Trust for Jersey and Societé Jersiaise with the orchard being planted in December 1991. The trees saved from extinction are a Gene Bank to provide graftwood for future plantings.
The former Agriculture and Fisheries Department provided both the land and the labour to establish the orchard and remained responsible for the management of the orchard whilst the Department remained in existence. Subsequently, the management was undertaken by Environmental Services.
Current Situation
Since 2006, Environmental Services has no longer been able to provide the resource to continue managing the orchard. Following consultation with representatives of the National Trust for Jersey, La Societé Jersiaise and the Jersey Cider Orchard Group, it has been agreed that it would be logical for the orchard to be transferred into the ownership of the National Trust for Jersey to ensure the retention of the Cider Apple Tree Collection and the efficient management of the orchard for future generations. The National Trust for Jersey has confirmed that it would very much welcome ownership of the orchard.
An independent valuation undertaken recently by H W Maillard & Son Ltd. has indicated a value of £10,000 for the land, which is identified in the Jersey Island Plan 2002 as being in the ‘Countryside Zone’.
It is proposed, however, that the land be sold to the National Trust for Jersey for a nominal £10, with each party responsible for their own legal costs.
It is also proposed that the contract of sale will include a covenant that the field will never be developed.
Conclusion
The transfer of ownership appears to be the most satisfactory arrangement to allow the National Trust for Jersey to take full responsibility for the Cider Apple Orchard and ensure it is managed efficiently for the future.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Minister approves the sale of Field 823, Trinity, to the National Trust for Jersey for the nominal sum of £10 with each party responsible for their own legal costs in respect of the transaction. Also, that the contract of sale will include a covenant that the field will never be developed.
Written by Philip Ahier
Signature …………………………
Authorised by Paul Tucker
Signature ………………………… Date 18 July 2007