Neighbour Tony Bisson is not happy about the way Belgrave is run. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0867239)
THE chief minister yesterday objected to plans to expand the Belgrave Vinery industrial site.
Deputy Lyndon Trott joined outraged residents on the first day of the planning inquiry into area plan amendments.
The Environment Department has over the summer put forward several amendments to the rural and urban area plans.
Yesterday, islanders had their chance to respond regarding the urban area.
The scheme to increase the temporary employment area at Belgrave Vinery by an acre proved contentious.
Mr Trott spoke as a St Sampson’s deputy. ‘Residents feel the site is growing to a ridiculous size and that it was not right for a densely populated area. There are concerns about the odour from the cesspits and they feel the problem of traffic management still hasn’t been addressed for the current level of site traffic.’
Tony Bisson, 66, has lived in Rue de la Carriere, near the vinery site, for 20 years and is a member of the housing association on his clos.
He said since a derelict house between the clos and the vinery had been knocked down, noise problems had got worse.
‘The site is meant to be in use between 9am and 3pm,’ he said.
‘But we can hear smashing glass from the site as early as 6am. This has a major neighbourhood impact that is not being considered.’
He was also concerned about the appearance of the site.
‘The whole area is unsightly and there is no screening,’ he said. ‘There has been no attempt to implement visual or sound screening.’
There has been temporary industrial use of the site for seven years.
Mr Bisson said it was unclear how the site could be temporary.
‘If a temporary site is anything starting from seven years ago, it means any new land could last at least seven years more,’ he said.
‘We wouldn’t call that temporary. It seems permanent to us. Increasing the area is not acceptable. This whole area could become permanently industrial.’
Forward planning officer Trevor Shaw said the Environment Department had been working hard to identify places for industrial use.
‘We are looking for permanent industrial sites,’ he said.
‘Temporary is a three-year period and permission at Belgrave was last granted in 2006. The decision there is still to be determined, but it is not the intention of the department to have a permanent industrial site.’
He also said that if the area was expanded, the department would be looking at traffic arrangements.
nÊThe inquiry is being led by planning inspector Jill Kingaby. More than 60 representations were made about amendments to the urban and rural area plans. The inquiry continues at Les Cotils today and tomorrow, looking at the rural area plan.
Article posted on 5th November, 2009 - 1.00pm
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