Anti-predator 900m fence to protect wild birds

Planning permission has been granted for the development of a 907m (2976ft) long "predator exclusion fence" to enable the creation of a seabird sanctuary.

The original application for a seabird reserve to protect locally endangered puffins, razorbills and other native wildlife, made by the Birds on the Edge partnership, was approved by the planning committee in May 2025.

The government of Jersey said an appeal against this decision was made and the case was reviewed by an independent planning inspector who recommended approval.

Minister for the environment, Deputy Steve Luce, acknowledged the fence would cause some visual and landscape harm but this was outweighed by the predicted benefits.

These included the protection of native species, restoration of coastal habitats, and enhancement of biodiversity.

The government of Jersey said Staddon noted the appeal raised some "quite complex planning judgements and balances".

It said when making the decision Luce considered the inspector's assessment which found the evidence supporting the proposal was "comprehensive and credible and demonstrated that invasive predators were likely a key factor in the decline of seabird populations in the area".

The proposed fence was considered to be a "reasonable conservation measure supported by international experts and organisations, with the approach being successful in other places", it added.

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