Not only the Foreshore but what about other property in Jersey.
Recently an article in Jersey Evening Post caught my attention concerning the actions of the Public in dealing with property boundaries and potential encroachments near the beach, technically, "The Foreshore" and the findings of the States Complaints Board.
In Jersey, where there are boundary problems, there is in most cases a friendly agreement between neighbours which is ratified in Court, the only cost being that you pay your neighbours legal costs. This helps the house sales flow more easily.
Not only the Foreshore but what about other property in Jersey.
During my many years as a conveyancer in Jersey, I have on a few occasions dealt with this issue relating to properties built on or near to the foreshore, i.e. the boundary of the property was the high watermark over the years the seawall was constructed both by the Public and on occasion by private contractors or owners as well . Not only this I have also dealt with property inland which has bordered on the Public property (owned in a "private" capacity).
In recent years the Crown, represented by the Crown officers department or Law Officers Department and subsequently, the Public (the States) or the Crown have on occasion sought compensation from owners where their properties may have been found to be constructed on or close to the seawall generally within 12 feet of the rear of the seawall.
In some cases, owners have been required to pay compensation where planning approval has been granted by a public authority to construct buildings, patios and balconies, and in some cases, owners have suffered setting out errors by their builders and been forced to pay compensation.
But, and it is important but, what about all those owners who live inland and have properties which border on Public property, which the Public claim to own in a "private" capacity, (which seems to be patently nonsense to any layman, I have never understood how the Public own something in a private capacity). Many years ago, I lived in a block of flats which bordered on a private lane which had been compulsorily purchased by the Public (the "States"). Despite a deed, at cost to the original owners, allowing windows, overhangs and openings, the windows of apartments were opening outwards, (all approved at the time by Planning) a change was forced upon the owners to open the windows inwards so they didn't overhang the road.
In my view it is not just these two transactions relating to the foreshore that should be reviewed, but perhaps all transactions within the past 20 years whereby compensation has been sought by the Public from private property owners, how the matter was handled, and if needs be, an inquiry to look at matters and to discuss a sensible way forward for all owners affected by this issue all over the Island.
The link to the JEP Article is here.
Nick Dodsley is the owner of ND Estates, a Jersey based Estate Agency.