Douzaine's 'deep regret' over Camp Dolent greenfield housing plans

The comment was contained in a letter from Senior Constable Richard Leale to the States Development and Planning Authority, which had asked for the parish's views on the proposals.

"The fact that planners designated this green field for development is still a matter of deep regret when numerous brown field sites remain undeveloped," he said.

The Douzaine also noted that the proposed development extended the site [pictured above] over the boundary line into a green area behind by a considerable amount.

"What is the point of having designated green areas if they can so easily be ignored?" asked Mr Leale. "On this point the Douzaine are firmly of the opinion that the green area boundary should be respected."

Some merit
On the details of the proposed scheme, the Douzaine felt the semi-detached properties had some merit, although questioned whether they were the sort of houses that people require, especially because they would be unaffordable to most people looking to get on the property ladder.

"The terrace of three houses at the east end of the site appear to have been shoe-horned in as to increase the density of houses. These three will be very visible from Route des Coutures, the view of the bank and trees will be obscured by them and they will tend to tower over the wall," said Mr Leale's letter.

The Douzaine also noted that the original development brief had a footpath inside the wall retaining Tertre Lane as just that, a lane. This provided protection for pedestrians from cars mounting the footpath, and also retained an old granite wall.

Commended
"A new wall will not look anything like the traditional Guernsey walls. It would also be too easy for the developer, at a later stage, to remove that element from the plans," said the Douzaine.

However, the proposed planting of the old quarry with a pathway through and around the site was commended. With regard to a proposed pedestrian crossing, the Constables and Douzaine had no comment to make regarding its suitability or otherwise.