This Is Guernsey

A GERMAN mortar bunker at Fort Hommet could be restored if planning permission is granted.
Festung Guernsey, an organisation set up in 2005 to reinstate fortifications, has asked the Environment Department if it can unearth parts of the bunker to get to its entrance.
‘We need to dig about two-and-a-half to three metres down to uncover the entrance,’ said Festung Guernsey project coordinator Paul Bourgaize.
‘We will then create an earth bank across the car park, which will probably take away a quarter of the parking.’
The organisation started planning to restore the M19 bunker when first
set up.
Part of the fortification, an armoured cupola, was blown up after the Second World War, which caused earth and rocks to fall into the bunker.
There are only four of this type in the island.
Volunteer Grant Steer said the site was ideal.
‘There are three others scattered around the island, but because there is the coast defence gun casemate at this site it makes sense to have it here,’ he said.
‘Once it’s all done, it will be ideal for visitors to see.’
He said it was not yet known how long the work would take.
‘It all depends on resources and the amount of volunteers we have available,’ he said.
‘We will be funding the project out of our own pockets.’
The organisation has had past support from local companies in the form of equipment and materials.
Mr Steer said they would like the same help with this project.
‘We are hoping to start in the latter part of this year or at the beginning of next. But we have a lot of things to sort out first,’ he said.
‘It’s a big project and a lot of hard work has already gone into it.’
If the plans are passed, the area will be cordoned off while the work is carried out.

Article posted on 15th August, 2009 - 12.00pm