THE National Trust of Guernsey has given its backing to the proposed rebuild design of Les Beaucamps High School.

A spokesman said its council had reviewed the proposals thoroughly and attended public meetings and had come to the conclusion that the plans were environmentally considerate and sensitive to nearby structures.

‘First impressions are that in producing the proposal, Education and their advisers have given a great deal of thought to the preservation of the environment in and around the new school, with particular reference to the retention of trees, Guernsey banks and landscaping,’ he said. ‘The report has also been very sensitive to the retention and use of the important structures in and around the site, such as the former drill hall.’

The council did not think the view of the area would be ruined by the rebuild.

That position conflicts with objections raised by conservation group La Societe Guernesiaise about the loss of rural land to the development.

La Societe president Pat Costen has described Education’s proposal to build on three fields along St George’s Road rather than on the school’s original site as environmentally destructive.

‘The intention of building the school is to invest in the youth, but by building it here they will grow up in a Guernsey without the sort of land we grew up with and appreciate – the Guernsey they were born into,’ she said.

However, the National Trust spokesman was convinced it could be a good move.

‘As far as the visual impact of the development is concerned, they have prepared examples of photographic comparisons between the current and future views that appear to indicate that the development would be less intrusive than the existing school.’