PLANS for an eco-retreat in St Brelade with “glamping” accommodation have been given the green light.
Husband and wife Pedram Padidar and Corrine Davey’s application for nine seasonal yurts was recently approved by the Planning Committee.
The yurts are to be situated in a field on Mont de le Rocque in St Brelade, off the hill which runs up from St Aubin.
They will be erected from April to September each year and dismantled during the winter months.
Seven of these circular structures will provide “glamping” accommodation with ensuite facilities, while the remaining two will house a yoga-and-meditation space and a communal kitchen area.
The site will be concealed from view of the nearby main road, according to a planning report, which added that the quality of the soil in the field was too poor to be used for farming purposes.
Speaking about the idea behind their plans, the entrepreneurs said that they wanted to meet the demand for “sustainable” and “health-focused” getaways by creating an eco-friendly retreat for wellness seekers and nature enthusiasts.
They explained that their vision was to offer guests the feeling of being immersed in nature without sacrificing conveniences or comfort.
“We wanted something that’s a cross between the off-grid living that people are seeking but a little bit more glamorous,” said Ms Davey.
The concept emerged from the couple’s existing business, Jersey Organic Yurts, which has been providing yurts for events and weddings for the past 15 years.
“We came up with the idea of creating a yurt wellbeing retreat after potential customers inquired about overnight stays and we had to turn them down,” explained Ms Davey.
The retreat aims to cater to what Visit Jersey terms “moment makers” – typically younger visitors in their 30s seeking unique, Instagram-worthy experiences.
Plans include offering activities such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, sound healing, and farm-to-table dining experiences. Guests will also have the opportunity to learn about and engage in sustainable growing practices.
There will be allotments and green spaces between the tents to introduce more biodiversity to the field, the couple said.
Guests will be provided with e-bikes or bikes and encouraged to take the bus. There will be three car parking spaces at the site.
