Overflow car park to be returned to grassland at Grande Rocques

Sunday 24 March 2024

Coastal grassland will be restored at Grandes Rocques to help boost biodiversity.

The area is currently used as a seasonal overflow car park.

Pictured: Environment want to create a place where "species can thrive" on land previously used for parking. Image from OpenStreetMap.

"Coastal grasslands are rich in biodiversity," said Senior Natural Environment Officer Julia Henney.

"By restoring this area, we're creating a place where we hope that species can thrive whilst also creating more space for people to connect with nature, which is one of the goals of Guernsey's Strategy for Nature."

Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services, a division of Environment & Infrastructure, will install a boulder at the entrance to the overflow.

Top soil will be laid to support the growth of vegetation.

Coastal grassland can support flowers like sea pink and sea campion as well as birds and pollinators.

Seeding will use native species sourced locally.

The loss of parking will be "partially offset" by the spaces created at the former entrance to the overflow as well as bicycle infrastructure.