Vale Deputy challenges 'power station homes' development

Vale's senior deputy has expressed amazement that the island's planners could have approved a scheme that may see up to 38 homes built on a green field close to the Power Station.

'I find it unbelievable that permission has been given for development at Le Maresquet site bearing in mind all the issues with the power station,' said Mary Lowe. 'Guernsey Electricity have paid out millions of pounds purchasing eight properties – seven purchased during 2016 at Hougue Jehanet & Midvale Lane and one along La Hure Mare a few years ago.'

She said the noise and vibration was then proven to be a serious concern. As a result, after several reports, along with some residents suffering ill health over a considerable amount of time, Guernsey Electricity offered a financial settlement, purchasing seven properties during 2016.

Ill parishioners?
Deputy Lowe asked: 'Will we see in a few years time a repeat of more people becoming ill and Guernsey Electricity purchasing yet even more properties?'

She hoped not – but representations made to the Development and Planning Authority by Guernsey Electricity Ltd reveal that it too has concerns over this possibility.

'In particular, it is concerned that as ENA2 [a second environmental noise assessment undertaken in July 2017] may have underestimated the potential for noise and vibration disturbance, it may have also underestimated the scale (and hence the potential cost) of the measures which would be required to mitigate that disturbance to an acceptable level,' said the power company.

Fears dismissed
Those fears have been dismissed by planners and its final report added: 'The inclusion of costs to a 3rd party [in this case, GEL] cannot therefore be considered as a material planning consideration.' Planning's picture, left, shows the view east along La Hure Mare Road with the field for development on the right.

Deputy Lowe said that bearing in mind new residential builds were not permitted in a stated radius around many power stations across the UK, quite why the DPA were prepared not only to allow more residential units very close to the power station escaped her, especially as they were also approving more homes in the middle of a large industrial area.

Social divides
She added: 'Too much emphasis has been given to cramming in even more development into the north of the island and not enough consideration to the quality of life for those who live there. With all the development being crammed in the north we are building social problems for the future – children need space to play.

'A potential divide exists with many of those living in the north, unable to afford purchasing a property in the upper parishes.'