WORK can start immediately on the Markets. The Environment Department said yesterday that it could see no reason for any further hold-up.

‘Historically, there have been frustrating delays in securing adequate detailed plans for this sensitive development, but those sorts of problem are now being sorted out rapidly,’ said minister Bernard Flouquet.

But how the work was organised and progressed was a matter for the developer.

A spokesman for McAulay said yesterday that builder McAlpine would be starting work next month and more details would be released tomorrow.

‘The most recent set of detailed plans for the central part of the buildings has already been approved with some relatively minor building control matters currently being finalised,’ said Deputy Flouquet.

He said there were many aspects of the redevelopment that could have started. As well as those recent permissions, approval was given months ago for preparatory works, such as repairs and replacement, on which further progress could have been made.

Earlier this year, McAulay told the former Board of Administration that it expected to start the project in earnest in June and planned to have it substantially completed by the end of June 2005.

The department has not been advised of any change in that intention.

Some people have also expressed concerns about the site’s current state.

The former Heritage Committee initiated close monitoring of work, which led to a request for the developer to take more appropriate care in the protection and weatherproofing of the buildings.

‘This has not been satisfactorily resolved and remains an issue,’ said Deputy Flouquet.

‘The welfare of these prestigious, listed buildings is of utmost importance to the Environment Department and we will continue to press the developer to take a more pro-active and appropriately sensitive approach to their protection during the redevelopment,’ he said.

Deputy Flouquet said that as former Heritage vice-president, he used all means available to him to ensure that the Markets redevelopment was given top priority and that as Environment minister, he and his fellow members remained committed to pursuing a quality outcome in the shortest practicable time scale.

Market traders claimed that they had heard that next Monday was deadline day for work to start.

National Trust of Guernsey president Michael Eades said: ‘We are very pleased that the Environment Department has got on top of this matter.

‘The National Trust is gravely concerned as to the situation if the development does not proceed. We have no idea as to whether the former Board of Administration thought that out when it granted the lease and the Markets were left half demolished with nothing being done to them.

‘We would be enormously pleased to see building work start next month. The whole island is frustrated with the development’s lack of progress. No maintenance has been carried out for years and it’s as if the old States abrogated all responsibility.’

Deputy Brian Gabriel, a Town trader, said: ‘I have been watching the situation since March, when I was told by the States that 126 new plans had gone into IDC-Heritage and work would start around June.

‘Today, I learn permission has been given and I’m delighted that work will start shortly. There have been problems in the past but let’s look forwards and not backwards. I see light at the end of the tunnel.’