This Is Guernsey

By Tom Edwards

Colette and Mike Gaudion outside one of the outbuildings which they do not use and which they would like put to light industrial use. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0562961)

A COUPLE claim their livelihood is at risk because Commerce and Employment refuses to allow them to let their vacant buildings to light industrial firms.

Mike and Colette Gaudion have been inundated by small businesses wanting to use their two large block-built, steel-clad outbuildings in St Sampson’s.

But the former dairy farmers have been forced to turn them away because according to the Rural Area Plan, they can be used for agriculture only. Mr Gaudion said the department was refusing to unlock his property from agricultural use.

‘Environment has told us that Commerce and Employment won’t release the buildings from agricultural use.’

The Gaudions claim that the demand from farming just isn’t there and to insist otherwise is ridiculous.

‘We have had at least 80 requests in the last few years from people in small industry to use the buildings, but we’ve not had a single one asking about agricultural use,’ said Mr Gaudion. ‘They would make excellent premises for light industry and to forbid it is absolute madness.

‘It’s all very well to say that they are for agricultural use, but believe me, I know those buildings will never return to farming.’

The Gaudions’ property is in Rue de la Cache and has been owned by the family since 1945.

It used to be a dairy farm, but ceased operating in 2001. Since then Mr Gaudion has supported his family through a window-cleaning business.

‘People in light industry even stop to ask us in the street because they know we have the ideal space for them,’ said Mrs Gaudion,

‘We’ve had someone asking us about it this week.

‘We’ve been trying to get permission to change the use for 13 years, but have failed to get anywhere with Commerce and Employment.’

Mr and Mrs Gaudion said that department staff investigated their premises after the election four years ago, but nothing had happened since then.

‘I hope the new House can apply some common sense and grant permission for our buildings to be used for light industry,’ said Mr Gaudion.

‘I feel that we have the right to make a living from our own property and Commerce and Employment is only serving to ensure the buildings remain empty. Our problem is not the only example of this sort of situation. There are many other similar cases around the island.’

A department spokesman said the land was zoned for agriculture use in the Rural Area Plan.

‘I sympathise with the Gaudions, but until we review the Rural Area Plan, there is nothing we can do about it.

‘We have to look 20 or 30 years ahead and consider what land should be allocated for agriculture.

‘Commerce and Employment has been criticised in the past for apparently wanting to concrete over the island.

‘We must support the farming industry and keep Guernsey green and beautiful. If we start allowing pockets of land to be handed over to industry, we would be going in a direction where we need to tread carefully.’

There were some instances when change of use had been sought only to increase the value of the land, added the spokesman.

‘We have seen it happen with hotels. When you look into the situation, the owner hasn’t advertised or invested in the land in the first place.

‘That’s the problem with setting such a precedent.’