Artists impression of the proposed Leale's Yard development.

THE Co-op was shocked to learn of States plans to re-consult over the Leale’s Yard development project.

Channel Islands Co-operative Society chief executive Jim Hopley said the job had already been done once at their expense.

He criticised the Chamber of Commerce for supporting the Commerce and Employment and Environment Department’s decision to repeat the work.

He said the Co-op spent years working with the departments to ensure the scheme complied with States requirements.

‘We were very surprised indeed to learn, through the media, that five months after our development partners submitted a plan to redevelop Leale’s Yard, the departments have decided a new retail capacity study should be produced before the application can be determined,’ he said.

‘Firstly, as part of the application process, we were asked to commission just such an independent report,’ he said.

‘This concluded that there was significant leakage of retail spend from the island due to the lack of on-island provision.’

It also concluded that the proposed Leale’s Yard development would benefit Guernsey and complement the very different retail offer in St Peter Port,’ he said.

‘For the Chamber of Commerce to say that the new study will protect the developers is patronising nonsense from a body with a clear vested interest,’ said Mr Hopley.

‘If it had bothered to ask it would have found out this work had already been done in depth.’