This Is Guernsey

TORTEVAL’S last farmer still wants to develop a new farm in the parish. After his plans to build a slurry store and cattle shed in a field next to the parish cemetery were rejected in April, Frank Le Cheminant has resubmitted the proposal.

He has to leave his current rented premises and if he did go out of business it could lead to the island needing to import milk.

‘We’ve just moved it to the other side of the field, closer to the houses. That’s what we’ve been advised and to make the building slightly smaller as well,’ said Mr Le Cheminant, who fears he could be forced out of the industry if the new farm was not established.

‘Time is very precious at the moment; we’re supposed to have a slurry store and it’s been dragging on for a year.’

The proposals would see a boiler house and packing shed demolished, with earth banking and landscaping used to soften the impact.

Modern farm buildings, he said, fitted better with environmental aspects than their older equivalents.

Mr Le Cheminant confirmed he still wanted to develop his own farm at the former Smithfield Vinery and has sufficient land to do so.

He currently rents premises at Les Cambrees.

‘The slurry store is part of the requirements and we’re hoping we’re going to get permission.’

Relocating the development would, he hoped, satisfy criticisms from the Torteval douzaine.

‘How many farmers will be left in 10 years’ time if they don’t give me permission?’

From October this year, new regulations will make it essential for farmers to have a slurry store.

To reduce the risk of polluting the water supply during the wetter months, they will not be able to spread manure on fields from 1 October to 31 December.

Mr Le Cheminant would not say how much the development would cost, but confirmed it was a considerable amount.

Guernsey Dairy manager Chris Hall confirmed that the farmer’s potential loss to the industry would have an impact.

‘It would depend when it happens; there are times of year when we’ve got more than we need, but if it was a time of year when we weren’t getting enough and if other farmers couldn’t make up the shortfall, we would have to look at it [importing].’

Article posted on 2nd August, 2004 - 12.00am