NEW plans for a herb-processing unit at the Sandpiper Vinery in St Peter’s have been submitted to the Environment Department. The Zouche Group’s plans for a hydroponics project were put forward just a few months after its original controversial plans for a 300,000sq.ft unit were rejected in a landmark Court of Appeal case against the former Island Development Committee.

Former deputy Dave Barrett, who lives next to the site, opposed the original plans in the Royal Court.

Graham Winn, managing director of Zouche Group, which also owns vitamins-by-post company Healthy Direct, assured neighbours that the new proposals would take account of their concerns.

‘We have scaled down the height and size of the development and further researched the best use of the space,’ he said.

‘Our architects have done a lot of work on banking and landscaping to minimise the impact on the environment.’

The 7.4-acre plot is currently covered by disused greenhouses and an empty packing shed. Zouche Group wants to renovate the greenhouses and use them to grow herbs, extracts from which will be used in

natural pharmaceutical products and treatments.

‘My family has been in business in Guernsey for nearly 30 years and we want this project to work. We are already at the heart of Guernsey’s diversified economy and a significant contributor to the island’s economy through our mail-order export companies, including Healthy Direct.

‘These are sensitive and sensible designs for the planners to consider. We hope they will grant us permission in principle so that quality herb cultivation and extracts can breathe life into the horticulture business. These plans show our commitment to a way forward that is good for Guernsey.’

The Commerce and Employment Department – the predecessors, the Horticulture Committee and the Board of Industry, supported the project – welcomed the principle of the move.

‘We would welcome any commercial operation that would spend time on minimising impact on the neighbours,’ said chief officer Nigel Lewis. He added that he had not yet seen the plans.

‘We appreciate that there is a new type of horticulture business developing and the Sandpiper concept fits in with that, although there were concerns about the scale of this particular operation.

‘Environment will send us the plans and we will be able to consider them.’