The Crown Estates Office wish to remind the public that Crown Land may not be occupied or used for private or commercial purpose without prior written permission or a valid lease agreement.

Why is this important?

Crown Land is a public asset held for the benefit of the community. Unauthorised occupation or use of Crown Land can:

  • Restrict public access.
  • Create environmental and safety risks.
  • Cause damage to land, vegetation, infrastructure, and heritage assets, and;
  • Result in costs to Government for restoration and remediation.
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Any person or organisation found occupying or using Crown Land without the necessary permission will be required to:

  • Cease the activity immediately.
  • Remove all materials, equipment and structures; and
  • Reinstate the land to its original condition.
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Temporary Use of Crown Land – More Than One Week

Where there is a legitimate requirement to temporarily occupy or use Crown Land for a period exceeding one week, an application must be submitted to the Crown Estates Office and approval obtained or use commence.

Examples of temporary use include:

  • Construction laydown areas for aggregates, soil and other materials;
  • Storage of equipment and plant; and
  • Access routes associated with approved projects.
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The application form for Temporary Use of Crownland is available on the St Helena Government website:  https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/portfolios/economic-development-portfolio/property/

Approved applicants will be subject to:

  • Payment of any applicable lease fee;
  • Compliance with site management requirements and environmental protection measurers; and
  • Inspection and monitoring by Crown Estates Officers to ensure compliance with the agreed conditions.
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Temporary Use of Crown Land – Less Than One Week

Where there is a legitimate requirement to use  Crown Land for a period of less than one week, for example, for a public event, a formal application will not be required.

However, prior permission must still be obtained from the Crown Estates Office before the land is used.

Protecting Our Crown Land

Protecting Crown Land is a shared responsibility. The cooperation of the public, businesses and organisations is essential in ensuring these public assets remain accessible, safe and well managed for the benefit of present and future generations.

For further information, please contact Mike Durnford, Crown Estates Manager, on telephone 22270 or by email at mike.durnford@sainthelena.gov.sh.