GUERNSEY could lose new horticulture business with an annual turnover of £10m. to Jersey. It was revealed yesterday that the Island Development Committee has turned down the controversial plans to develop a herb processing unit at Sandpiper Vinery, St Peter’s.

It is understood that authorities in Jersey are interested in allowing the development to take place there if Guernsey firm Osprey Investments cannot get the go-ahead for the project here.

Osprey asked for permission to demolish glasshouses and build a packing and processing unit with ancillary office and laboratory and isolation shed. It also wanted to alter the vinery entrances and create parking.

‘The committee reached its decision following full consideration of all material aspects of the case, including the advice given by the Committee for Horticulture and Board of Industry, which had carried out a detailed assessment of the proposals,’ said IDC president John Langlois yesterday.

‘In essence, the committee has concluded, on the basis of the detailed technical advice received, that the proposed facility is of excessive size for the proposed crop production and cannot therefore be considered ancillary to horticultural production on the site. In the light of this decision, it is open to the applicant to submit further proposals for an appropriately-scaled facility for consideration.’

The application was made by Osprey Investments – part of the Zouche Group, which also owns Healthy Direct – after earlier in-principle permission was overturned by the Court of Appeal.

No one from the company had heard the news officially yesterday and officials declined to comment.

Horticulture Committee president Bill Robilliard, who was also unaware of the decision, was extremely disappointed at the news. ‘From what I’ve heard, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been turned down out of hand. I hope very much that it’s not a total and outright rejection. The future of horticulture is based on this.’

Douzenier Robilliard understood that the latest application would have given the same aerial view of a ‘sea of glass’ as the present vinery.

He had been told by the developers that the venture was expected to be turning over £10m. a year after 18 months.

Former IDC vice-president Deputy Dave Barrett took the IDC to court after it gave in-principle development permission.

He argued that it was the wrong kind of venture to have on land zoned green zone three, which prevents the site being used for anything other than horticultural or agricultural purposes.

Three Appeal Court judges ruled that the IDC was wrong to allow Osprey in-principle permission to develop the venture because it contravened land-use policies.

Deputy Barrett yesterday declined to comment.