Little demand for light industry land, after years of complaints

Tuesday 12 February 2019

When the States asked people to come forward if they wanted to lease land for light industrial use, they were expected a flood of enquiries, based on the number of complaints there have been over the years from disgruntled businesses bemoaning a lack of suitable land in the island, but that wasn't the case.

Instead, so few people have asked about using the land at Griffiths Yard that the States are reminding us it is available and can be used by so called 'dirty' businesses who want to make money in the island.

Head of Estates Strategy, at Property Services, Mark Ogier says there has been a disappointing approach so far, so “any light-industry business needing land should contact us..."

Pictured: Griffiths Yard is on North Side, and used to be used for boat storage but is now open for other industrial uses. 

The plea has gone out after the States Assembly told the States Trading Supervisory Board to make land, including Griffiths Yard, available "to provide basic open yard facilities to store plant, materials and equipment mainly for the construction industry."

That decision was made in June last year, but since then, only 10 applications have been received, with just four being construction related. 

Previously land, including that at La Fontaine Vinery site, had been available on short term leases for light industry use, but most of the businesses which were based there have been moved out as the land is designated for a future housing development.

Pictured: La Fontaine Vinery. 

When the decision was made to move businesses out of La Fontaine Vinery, many complained that there was little suitable land elsewhere for the types of industry affected - including those which need land to store machinery, or to sort rubbish.  

The States Property Services Team says those businesses don't seem to be forthcoming now that land is available to them though.

A spokesman said: “this is incredibly frustrating, as historically light industrial businesses have complained at the lack of suitable and affordable open storage land for industry. Yet here we are offering space to lease and the response has been underwhelming to say the least.  We are saying we have the facilities, and all we need is for industry to come to us.” 

The official deadline for expressions of interest has passed but Property Services says they are keen to find tenants so the deadline has been extended to 22 February. Any formal responses received before then will be considered.