Observatory to take flight after Nunnery tenancy is terminated

Thursday 20 May 2021

The Alderney Bird Observatory will have to leave the Nunnery in three months' time, after Alderney States members voted to terminate their tenancy agreement.

Members voted six to three, with one abstention, to approve the proposition, which has left the bird observatory facing uncertain questions about its future.

The States spent £317,500 refurbishing the Nunnery to include hostel accommodation for up to 10 visitors. Policy & Finance Chairman Bill Abel said the ABO has not invested any profits made back into the conservation of the historic site.

The ABO argues that it has revitalised tourism for Alderney in the shoulder months, while also bringing in around £250,000 a year in free advertisement and publicity in national newspapers and specialist magazines. 

It is also claimed that the charity has broken the terms of its tenancy agreement by not developing a conservation centre. 

"The poor relationship between various groups across the island, and the unproductive ABO media campaign, is damaging the reputation of the island," according to Mr Abel, who says all parties need to work together to restore Alderney’s reputation.

However, ABO Warden John Horton, who has led the internationally-acclaimed observatory since 2016, says keys States Members refused to work with the charity. 

“We are struggling to understand the motives of the States Members who are driving this through, especially as there appears to be no forward plan for what they intend the Nunnery to become," he said. 

Pictured: The Alderney Bird Observatory team faces an uncertain future away from the Roman Fort.

He continued: "We feel that those proposing this change are making decisions based on misinformation and there has been a failure on the States Members’ part to meet with the ABO."

Mr Abel countered that by saying that the States needed to "take control" of the Nunnery in order to fully review its use and hold discussions with interested parties. 

“The States needed to take control of The Nunnery so that meaningful discussions can be had with all groups and the community to resolve this issue for the benefit of the Island,” said Mr Abel.

He also cited the ABO's subsidised accommodation at the Nunnery, which has reportedly enraged other accommodation providers.

"It has been a point of contention and needs to be resolved." 

An earlier amendment to defer the termination by two months failed by seven votes to three. 

More to follow...

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Pictured top: The Nunnery Heritage site (Photo credit: David Nash).