AS NEWS sinks in that Herm – Guernsey’s offshore playground – is about to have new owners for the first time in nearly 60 years, the first concern of visitors, locals, residents and staff is what happens next. And that, as we said yesterday, ultimately hinges on who takes over the lease and whether they share the same vision as the Wood/Heyworth family.
However, when the States of Guernsey bought the island from the UK Government back in 1947, some robust safeguards were put in place to ensure that a taxpayers’ asset would be run properly in perpetuity.
In particular, the deal was to ensure that access to the island was maintained, as were its peace and tranquility and its natural beauty.
Those involved at the time were anxious not to let the States run the island, with all the cost and bureaucracy that would have involved, and introduced an early public-private partnership arrangement in which the tenant would generate the necessary income to achieve the objectives primarily through tourism.
At the time, it was particularly far-sighted, especially given the devastation ‘inherited’ by the Wood family when they took over the lease in those early days.
As acting Board of Administration vice-president Pierre de Putron said in 1946, previous arrangements precluded anyone from accessing the island ‘and therefore comparatively few people – even the natives of Guernsey – have seen the unspoiled charm and natural beauty which is unsurpassed in the Channel Islands’.
A site visit convinced senior members that Herm had to be bought for the common good, especially in the light of the ever increasing spread of built-up areas in Guernsey.
Today’s landlord, Treasury and Resources, has the final say on whoever takes over the island and the governing principle (in 1946-speak) is to ensure that the natural attractions of the island are made available to all who visit it.
In many respects, islanders have had the benefit of them on the cheap compared to the cost of the States maintaining in it its current state. They have certainly had none of the risk, which rests with the tenant.
While there is welcome interest in the property, finding another tenant or company which accepts the current vision for Herm might not be that easy.
Article posted on 20th May, 2008 - 10.00am
One Article Comment
am keeping everything crossed that nothing really changes on Herm - have been having holidays there for over thirty years! First with my parents, and now I bring my three children - this year we are going twice! My brother also worked there for a year in his younger days - will be devastated if things change too much, one if its biggest assets is the fact that it still looks and feels like it did when i was seven years old!! (a long time ago that was too!)- PLEASE KEEP IT THE SAME!!!