Deputies against early plans to build on Vale field

Thursday 23 August 2018

A draft development framework for a field in the Vale, which could see up to 38 properties built near Guernsey's power station, has been given a luke warm reception by the parish's deputies.

Deputies Laurie Queripel and Mary Lowe have said they will oppose any efforts to build on the land to the South East of Le Maresquet Farm while Deputy Matt Fallaize said he thinks it is the same parcel of land he has opposed development on in the past and he will consider the proposals in September on his return to the island.

The land in question is behind the power station and near the site of States Works along La Hure Mare road. Up to 38 residential properties could be built on the land if the draft development framework is approved, based on a guideline of possible density of up to 55 dwellings per hectare.

The land is 0.7 hectares or 4.3 vergees in size. 

The draft development framework can be seen on the States of Guernsey website here or copies can be viewed at Sir Charles Frossard House. Comments must be submitted by 1 October. 

Pictured: Part of the Draft Development Framework for Le Maresquet Farm, Vale, which can be viewed here

Amid continuing concerns that development is unfairly concentrated in the north of Guernsey, with St Sampson and the Vale bearing the brunt of new residential construction projects, three of the five Vale deputies responded to a query from Express over this latest draft development framework.

Deputy Laurie Queripel confirmed this is the same parcel of land which he has campaigned against development on in the past. He said on this occasion he will again "support objections raised and make my own opposition clear."

"I am continually dismayed but not overly surprised by the constant attempts to encourage building on this field, especially as it is one of the few open and green spaces left in this area and as such provides essential relief from the concentration of industrial and residential development," he said.

"How it could not be described as important baffles me, surely the possible loss of any undeveloped/virgin open land/green space should be a great cause for concern.

"It simply isn't necessary when there are so many brown field sites around the island that could be considered. This is yet another worrying example of a rather slavish and almost one eyed interpretation of IDP policies."

Deputy Queripel said he's also concerned at the continued amount of civil service time spent producing draft development frameworks. As well as the release of this framework this week, another for land off Route Isabelle was approved this week.

"The other thing that concerns me is the amount of resource (DPA staff and time wise) that has gone into producing this Draft Development Framework, in effect it is done on a speculative basis and the cost should be quantified," said Deputy Queripel.

Pictured: Deputies Matt Fallaize, Mary Lowe and Laurie Queripel

Deputy Mary Lowe said she has also been involved with this site previously and at that time she "objected vigorously" which she said she will do again.

"Building so close to the power station, right by one property purchased by Guernsey Electricity years ago and more recently seven properties Guernsey Electricity had to purchase owing to health problems experienced by residents living in five of the eight properties, to permit more building in this area is madness," she said.

"I will be sending a letter of objection and hope the States have learnt something from the millions spent buying out eight properties at a huge cost."

Deputy Lowe campaigned to help the families living in the houses behind the perimeter wall of Guernsey Electricity which is near Le Maresquet Farm site. They claimed they suffered health problems caused by vibrations from the newer generator in operation at the power station at the time. Eventually the families were able to move when GEL bought their properties. Deputy Lowe had worked with the families for years before the situation was resolved.

"It's also worth remembering building two high walls at Guernsey Electricity did zilch to address the noise and vibration issues," said Deputy Lowe.

Guernsey Electricity has issued a statement on the framework since it was released.

It said: "In 2015 Guernsey Electricity purchased several properties adjacent to the Power Station site in the Vale as part of a strategic acquisition to enable the installation of engine 3D and replace a number of the older engines, some of which were almost 40 years old.

"As neighbours of the potential housing development we will of course engage in the planning process and comment on proposed plans accordingly."

Deputy Fallaize said he has been unable to look at the draft development framework for Le Maresquet Farm in detail yet but he believes it is the same area of land which he had made a previous submission against developing on in the past. He said he will need to study the document properly before commenting which he will spend time on in September. 

Deputy Jeremy Smithies said he "would prefer not to see any further development of green field sites in the Vale."