Sueco fights to keep marquee
Wednesday 5th August 2009, 2:00PM BST.
outside catering company Sueco has launched a petition to fight to keep its Icart cliff-top marquee up for the summer.
New laws introduced in April mean the award-winning business must formally apply to the Environment Department for a licence for each event, which managing director Peter Yates said made life impossible.
He said the marquee, which is used for charity functions, weddings and corporate events, would have to be dismantled and erected each time.
That would be far too expensive, he said, and would force its permanent removal.
‘We are appealing against this new legislation, but if it is to go ahead we believe it will deprive islanders of a great service in a wonderful location,’ said Mr Yates. ‘It is a stunning place for a bride to have her big day and our facility introduces so many visitors to the beauty of the south coast with the minimum impact on the environment.’
Mr Yates has received only a handful of complaints in six years, he says. He holds a dozen events per summer, he said, and always adheres to conditions imposed by the Royal Court.
He thought Environment had received only a few objections to the position of the temporary structure, which centred on the visual impact of the marquee, the alleged misuse of agricultural land and noise and traffic disturbance.
‘Our marquee is white, but cannot be seen easily from either Icart Road or the headland,’ he argued.
He said it was a benefit to Guernsey tourism because many people flew in every year for weddings and a fair percentage saw those views.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
So Peter Yates thinks life is impossible, he wants to try and have to live near to this ‘tent’. Live music blaring out disturbing everybody’s peace and quiet,fireworks being let off, broken glass and bottles strewn throughout the lanes in the vicinity, along with associated rubbish dumped in neighbours gardens.The lanes aren’t designed for that volume of traffic, if the emergency services ever had to get through to an incident to properties closer to Icart Point they would be frustrated by cars abandoned in the Icart Rd.
I see Bob Chilcott claims it is ‘vital’. What exactly is vital? Maintaining the integrity and peace and quiet of the area? Don’t the Kinnersleys own the land the ‘tent’ is pitched on? No doubt they are collecting rent and their support is not exactly altruistic. One would like to think the Constables and Deputies of the parish would defend the interest of rsidential parishioners, after attending the St.Martins parish meeting back on the 29th April 2009, I’m not holding my breath.
Report abuse
For goodness sake why can’t Les Petit Guern’s leave SueCo and their fine in-tent alone?
Is this another simple example of small island, small minded jealousy?
Surely not? Perhaps it’s not been done before so, “let’s close it down” mentality.
C’mon my ‘ickle brayeing donkey friends give this initiative a decent chance.
Perhaps you want to go back to growing tomatoes again?
Report abuse
I feel the need to write in support of this company. They are a local firm who have been building up this business for 28 yrs and now with new legislation they might be impeded. A marquee has been sited on this field for short temporary periods for the past 6 years. Should this not have been stopped in the beginning rather than retrospectively and let down the charites,companies, brides and grooms etc who are now having to re plan their events / weddings.
I also suggest one of your commenter’s gets their facts straight before going to press. I know the land is not owned by Mr Kinnersley and therfore his support is “completely altruistic”. I have friends who live near this site and know that this company never leaves cars abandoned on the Icart rd, as they have an area to park cars and encourage their clients to use small buses to courier guests to and from. They also recieve spot checks from the fire service safety officers who have obviously never thought emergency access to be restricted? I have a feeling the abandoned cars may be generated by a busy hotel in the area as their overflow is on the side of the main rd – do the objectors amongst us want this shut down too? With regards to rubbish this is a responsible company who would not abandon litter as suggested and I can only assume that some revellers may unfortunately drop rubbish when leaving the area. Furthermore with 3 hotels in the area and numerous homes could the litter not be from any other source /party. It is all too easy to assume incorrect facts when you you are against something. Finally my friends who live nearby were informed after the ONE firework display 2 YEARS AGO that Sueco had informed all clients that they would no longer allow firework displays at this site, so an argument that really has no leverage. I appreciate some individuals may have some disturbed nights up to 2330, but this company endeavours to do its best for clients and residents alike and surely if we all work together than against each other – then harmony can ensue?
Report abuse
I quote from the Hotel Bon Port website:
“The Hotel Bon Port is situated in the midst of Guernsey’s most beautiful coastal scenery, boasting spectacular views ….
Walking is a popular activity for visitors and one of the best ways of experiencing the peace, beauty and tranquillity (sic) of Guernsey.
Within easy walking distance are beautiful cliff paths, secluded beaches and some of the most unspoilt countryside in Guernsey.”
Yes the views are spectacular if you have no objection to a large white tent on the clifftop. There is peace and tranquility in that area at times when the “music” is not booming out across the bay. The countryside is unspoilt apart from some recent questionable developments in the vicinity of the hotel.
Report abuse
Ted, I think you are confused. The only marquee in the vicinity of the Bon Port Hotel is its own marquee on its own grounds.
This marquee is just down the road from the Saints Bay Hotel (owned by Peter Yates, I believe)
I agree with Sarnia that the events are very well run and there is as little impact as one could possibly ensure. However, if I did live nearby I would be concerned about the noise and so I have full sympathy for residents.
Report abuse
Thank you for supporting my comments “TL.” I too do have symapthy with local residents but do think it might be a small minority who like to find problems – did you see the chap on channel report who lives close by and has no problems with noise, littering, etc. Im sure occassioanlly there is noise but really is 2330 too late on what might be once a fortnight through the summer? Plus im sure with the wind in different directions on some occassions all noise /music goes out to sea. Oh and by the way, I think Peter Yates only managed Saints Bay Hotel and didn’t the Gsy press run an article on his retirement from this position back in Jan!
Report abuse
In your own words Sarnia,you don’t live nearby so how do you know what the situation is? I’m directly affected by noise (having been woken up several times by loud music and drunken revellers) and have on more than one occasion had wine bottles and broken glass thrown onto my property and seen it strewn in the lanes. It seems hugely coincidental but this only occurs when there has been a function in this tent.It is totally inappropriate to have this sort of event in this location.I’m glad the fireworks have now stopped, but that was only after complaints were made as there are horses stabled at the seaward end of the Icart Rd and also at the junction of the Icart/Marette Rd, they should never have been used in the first place. At the end of the day this is all about greed and making money, and how these events affects neighbours is always going to be of secondary importance.
Report abuse
Beaufort, get a life.
The simple answer is buy some decent double glazing or move to St Sampsons!
Report abuse
As much as I can appreciate the benefits of having the marquees up for all the events they hold/handle each year, I as a Guernsey man, can also see the other side of the coin.
If it costs more money to put them up and take them all down after each event then so be it.
Any business, who offer this service that is making money on them and not losing money every time they have an event should be able to amend there pricing structure accordingly.
Report abuse
Sarkdog Millionaire, I’ve got a great one thanks, it’s a shame certain individuals are trying to spoil the quality of it by circumventing planning regulations by erecting marquees that weren’t covered in the original legislation, thus leaving the powers that be no option but to amend existing legislation to include marquees. I do have double glazing thanks but in the summer I like to have some fresh air in the house and one of the reasons I bought my property up here was for the peace and quiet.
It’s ironic that the reason these marquees were erected was for people to enjoy the location, and that is the very thing that they are helping to destroy,and by that I mean the unspoilt vistas, peace and quiet and tranquility.
It was also stated in an earlier post that 2330 isn’t late to be disturbed at a weekend, tell that to people who are trying to sleep before going in to work for a nightshift or have gone to bed early because they have to be up for work at 0600. Not everybody works nine to five Monday to Friday in a bank.
Somebody also stated that these ‘tents’ were only up for a short period, I estimate they are up for nearly six months of the year,that in my book is semi-permanent.
Report abuse
So I ger it. Some company has been playing the system for years – rubbish government doing nothing about it – and now he’s bleating about the amount of cash he’s gonna lose from flouting the ‘law’.
We got laws, but they ain’t perfect but wes all gorra abide by them. Bloke on bridge or bloke on the cliff, or bird wiv skip company at Baubigny
Report abuse
I think a few people are missing the point here… I live near Saumarez Manor & I regularly hear music coming from both Marquee venues… If it is a very still night with a hint of a breeze in the the wrong direction, then you can hear the music & DJ very clearly…
Yes the music may stop at 23.30, however the increased traffic & noise levels from drunken walkers goes on until past midnight…
I would suggest that before people that dont live anywhere near the area start spouting off their opinion on these pages, they try having a quiet night in where people are affected & then write their thoughts…
NO – one or two events a year isnt a problem, but with 2 marquees in the area (& sometimes a 3rd at Jerbourg) holding “a dozen events per summer” it can be in excess of 30 events per year… or every Friday & Saturday night from May until September!!
Report abuse
Meanies – leave the poor luvvies alone. They are only the thin end of the log splitter.
‘Cos then I can move my office into a tent on the cliffs and avoid paying rent and TRP!
If it’s OK for a restaurant and a garden centre to trade from semi-permanent canvas buildings, surely it’s equally OK for a trust company, a bank or anyone else? My clients would appreciate the views, too, and many of them are visitors, after all. Lots of parking on the fields. Lovely.
After a while, the canvas might solidify into concrete…but by then it’ll be too late to stop me.
Never fear, Billy the Kid – we’ll try to keep it 8 to 5 as far as possible. It’ll make parking in town easier, too!
Report abuse
The noise and disturbance isn’t restricted to the evenings. Go for a walk on the cliff paths around Jerbourg/Petit Port on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll often hear the bands practicing in the Jerbourg tent before the evening function. Its loud and its unpleasant. Have we lost sight of what makes this island so special and different? We should be fighting tooth and nail to keep the cliffs as natural as possible, all year round. If Sueco succeed in getting their tent at Icart what’s to stop a similar tent being erected on every headland to Pleinmont? The new planning legislation is there to protect the natural landscape and we should be supporting it – The Sueco, Bon Port and the Jerbourg Event tents have been blots on the landscape for too long.
Report abuse
I can see both sides to the story here. I went to a wedding in the Sueco tent a few weeks back and it was an excellent occasion all round – I can see why it is so popular.
Nevertheless I do sympathise with the residents. If I was living there I wouldn’t like to be disturbed every other weekend by revellers heading off in the small hours with a skinful.
Compromise is therefore the only fair resolution. Perhaps a solution would be to restrict Sueco to a limited number of events per year – say one per month? OK this would hike the price up and some people would miss out but that’s life. In a small island community we can’t have everything.
Report abuse
I think many people forget that whilst a wedding day is special for the bride and groom, for a portion of guests it is a chance to have a good time and party. This is where the conflict lies.
I know a few people who plan on having receptions there and I sympathise with them, and with Sueco, however there is no denying that when people drink they can become less responsible. This would explain the rubbish etc.
I agree with Paul Le P that a compromise could be reached, have one or two a month and simply charge more for those events. Yes this would deprive certain groups from having an event there but it may go some way to appease the residents concerns.
Report abuse
Southcost Resident
Re: Saturday Afternoon
At any venue where there is live music, there is a sound check that generally lasts for 30 minutes at the very most. This is to make sure that the music sounds as good and “pleasant” as possible. In particular at the marquees bands make an extra effort to be finished as quickly as possible to either minimise disruption to hotel guests at Bon Port, or to the neighbours at Icart.
And since when has a wedding band ever been deemed “loud and unpleasant”, if that were the case should they expect to be paid for their services at a wedding where family friendly music is order of the day?? This is Beach Boys, Beatles and ABBA territory, not Metallica!
Whilst I have much sympathy for the neighbours (more for the litter and drunken people near their property), the bands and DJ’s at these venues are acutely aware of the noise situation as pertains to the neighbours and always ensure to be as considerate as possible whilst still performing what they are paid to do, to the best of their ability.
I would suggest that its comments like yours, “loud and unpleasant” and the “blot on the landscape” that make neutral people just think you are being snobbish, and you’ll quickly lose sympathy
Plus, the time of your post was a Monday night 11.22pm, shouldnt you be in bed seeing as its quiet?? Or do you stay up late when there is no wedding and go to bed early when there is one just so you can complain about noise??
Report abuse
@ The Wedding Singer
I think you’ve got a mix up with the users posting. Sarnia is the one who sometimes gets awoken at 23:30.
Report abuse
GG
Thanks for that, I did realise it was a different person, but I made the comment purley on the basis of the persons username and the fact that he said that the noise isnt restricted to evenings.
Report abuse
This marquee is totally out of keeping with the beautiful green countryside. It totally dominates the skyline and is a visable eyesore viewable from the Goufre, Petit Bot beach and all along the cliff path. We should warn prospective vistors, that come to Guernsey on holiday to walk the South Coast cliffs, that their walks in the countryside will be spoilt by this monstrosity and that the views are being desicrated by someone out to make a quick buck. Planning permission has been refused for this marquee so why is it still up?.
If Mr le page puts a shed in his field or a couple of local youngsters work on their autocross car in an old greenhouse the Enviroment Dept suddenly has loads of powers to stop them including prosecution.
There is a bench on the cliff path right next to this monstrosity which is virtually unusable when they have a function.
This marquee breaches several sections of the Rural area plan, which is there for a good reason (to protect the countryside from commercialization), but that oes not seem to matter here.
Dont turn a blind eye just because of who is involved in these functions. Laws are laws and should apply equally to all, regardless of their position in society.
Report abuse
The Wedding Singer
The music may be pleasent when your near to it but i dont think there is anything much more annoying than listening to music thumping out from a distance (it sounds distorted) even if it is not very loud. i get it a fair bit in the summer near my house with late night house parties, it is easier to sleep with music on in your own room than to hear it coming from someone elses.
Report abuse
Of course these monstrosities should never have appeared on the cliff tops. Just look at the Environment Dept website to see that they have a clear obligation to protect this area. The new Planning Law at last gives them the power to do this. When Sueco first put up the marquee last year they asserted that it could be rapidly be taken down and this would be done between events. He seems to have forgotten that promise.
What about a planning application from Bon Port? Theirs has been up all season but no application to put it up yet. That means that we don’t even have the right to object. Doubtless there will be some ridiculous story about Environment and petty regulations.
How do they go on getting away with this? These eyesores must be stopped – if this area can’t be protected, what chance is there for any other part of the island, maybe a field near you?
If this is not stopped the south coast will soon be covered with a string of marquees blaring out loud music at all hours.
Report abuse
I have read the comments on the subject of marquees with interest.
Our local newspaper seems to find it a matter of honour to take a sideswipe at any decision made by the Environment Department, whether good or bad. On this issue Environment have got it right. I wonder if the Press will be man enough to admit this.
It seems to me that people fall into three categories:
1) Those who are not directly affected, but who care about the environment and the Island they live in, and who object in principle to semi-permanent marquees being allowed free-range to litter our south coast.
2) Those who are not directly affected and feel that commercialism is good at any price, and what’s the matter with huge amounts of noise, mess, light pollution and traffic day and night in rural areas of outstanding beauty, and what’s wrong with breaking the Planning Laws anyway?
3) Those whose lives have been blighted for the past four summers and who are delighted that the Law will now protect them and others who may likewise suffer in the future.
Of course, let’s not forget that Peter Yates isn’t the only one determined to make the Cliffs into a funfair. Has anyone seen a Planning Application from the Bon Port Hotel? No? That’s because they’ve decided they’re above the law and don’t need to apply. Hence – no application, no right to object.
Remember folks, this could happen in a field next to you.
For those thinking of using a commercial marquee in the future, don’t risk spoiling your day – book elsewhere. These things won’t be desecrating our cliff-tops next year.
Report abuse
George
You have missed 2 other cateogories ……
Cateogory 4;
The minority who for whatever reason cannot bear to share their part of Guernsey with any other even for 10-12 nights a year and feel they have to moan about it and jump on a small band-wagon!
There has been ongoing probs with 1 marquee over here who a few have named on this site. Should their poor reputation really tarnish anothers so quickly?? Temporary, well managed, responsible are really better adjectives than the overexaggeration of eyesore, desecration, light pollution, thumping music and any other overly dramatic descriptions there has been on this site!!
And Cateogory 5;
There is a LOCAL family business who has been running for many, many years who probably at considerable cost have invested in this part of their business … not to make a quick buck …. but to provide a unique function venue to local islanders and many visitors to the island. The individual who suggests they are out to make “quick buck” must be v ignorant and slightly naive when it comes to business and innovative ventures? I attended a wedding there recently and know the bride and groom were so surprised how competively priced everthing was …. im talking about £6000 less than another company to erect a similar tent in a garden. Doesn’t really sound like Sueco are exploiting the cliffs to make huge amounts of cash just providing a spectacular venue for weddings, charity events, etc?? Sadly though some people will always criticise people perceived as doing well in business?
Report abuse
Sarnia is so right. It is a great pity that there can be no distinction between establishments who run their operations in a respectable way and those whose practices are, shall we say, questionable.
But I think it is important to consider that there are two basic issues. Should the marquees be permitted in this particular area? And, what are the effects of events held in the marquees on the island as a whole and nearby residents in particular?
On the first point, few would object to the presence of the marquees if they were truly temporary. However a building of any sort which is in place throughout the summer months is not temporary. This is when visitors and locals alike are hoping to enjoy the magnificent views of the cliffs and it is clear that many certainly consider buildings like these to be an eyesore. If Sueco had been able to stick with Mr Yates’ original undertaking to take the marquee down between events it might have been possible to accept that the marquee was temporary.
On the second point, surely it’s reasonable to expect some peace and quiet in such a location. It is not a question of being unwilling to share their part of Guernsey with others – it is there for all to enjoy. It is a question of whether people using the venue should expect others to share the noise, traffic and light pollution created by the event they chose to arrange or patronise. Again it is a question of how frequently the nuisance is created. The present high level is totally unacceptable to many, in particular those who are most directly affected.
When all’s said and done, you have to ask yourself if a building of a similar size and purpose would be allowed on these sites – or any site – for the whole of every summer, were it to be made of any other material?
That’s why we have a Planning Law.
Report abuse