Jersey's Chief Minister Supports Public Ownership of £9.95M Golf Course Site

Jersey Leader Backs Public Purchase of Iconic Golf Course

Jersey's Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham has thrown his support behind efforts to bring a prominent golf course site into public ownership, following a growing community campaign urging the government to act before the land falls into private hands.

Les Mielles Listed for Nearly £10 Million

Les Mielles Golf & Country Club, located in St Peter, was recently placed on the market with a guide price of £9.95 million. The listing has prompted swift action from local campaigners, who fear the site could be lost to private development if the government fails to intervene.

A public petition launched by local resident Matt Topman has already gathered over 600 signatures. Topman is urging the government to explore funding options that would allow the purchase of the site, with plans to restore the majority of the land to its natural state, introduce an educational and activities component, and repurpose the existing clubhouse as a national centre.

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

Topman drew comparisons to previous successful conservation efforts at Plémont and Grève de Lecq, highlighting how community-driven initiatives had led to meaningful land preservation in Jersey before.

"It's such a large parcel of land within our national park, and the fact that it has come up for sale right now creates a sense of urgency," Topman said. "Some form of rewilding, given its natural setting, would be wonderful — whether that's integrated with the existing golf course or involves a full change of use. This is an open canvas and a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity."

Topman added that he would welcome involvement from a private investor as well, noting that the petition was primarily intended to spark a broader conversation about the site's future.

Farnham Signals Government Interest

In a recent interview with BBC Jersey, Chief Minister Farnham openly expressed his enthusiasm for the idea.

"I fancy that coming into public ownership somehow," he said, signalling that the government would seriously explore the possibility.

Farnham indicated his intention to consult with the National Trust of Jersey, envisioning the potential to create a corridor of outstanding natural beauty stretching from the Simon Sand area through to Les Mielles.

"That's something we can certainly take a look at," he confirmed.

Multiple Funding Avenues on the Table

Farnham acknowledged that a purchase of this scale would require creative financial planning, but noted several avenues worth exploring.

"There's public money if we decide to use it," he said. "There are other options with the National Trust, and I've had a number of people from our 21E community — wealthier residents — who are very keen to contribute to something like this."

The Chief Minister previously facilitated the acquisition of Cafe Romany at Grève de Lecq after similar public calls to protect the surrounding environment, demonstrating a precedent for this kind of intervention.

The National Trust of Jersey has so far declined to offer a public comment on the matter.