‘Jail threat’ for fixing Rang’s roof

Monday 15th February 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Kevin Delaney

CALLS have been made in the latest Sark Newsletter for the chairman of the Sark Development Control Committee to resign.

Writer Kevin Delaney said he had been threatened with prison for replacing the roof of Rang’s Jewellery Shop without planning permission and claimed that committee chairman Antony Dunks had been heavy-handed.

He also said that after looking through development applications from the last three years, there have been none to replace or repair roofs.

‘A truly remarkable state of affairs one might think, particularly given that Conseiller Dunks felt it necessary to write to the constable to report that the failure of the publisher of The Sark Newsletter to apply for planning permission to carry out repairs to Rang’s Jewellery roof rendered him fit for prosecution and imprisonment,’ wrote Mr Delaney (pictured).

Mr Delaney claims there has been a cover-up following the construction of staff accommodation at Stocks Hotel and that applications for the final quarter of 2008, when the Stocks application was approved, were missing.

However, Conseiller Dunks said there had been no cover-up and that the loss of information was due to a change in styles of publication between the previous government and the current one. ‘Now Mr Delaney has made us aware of this, we will work to resolve it,’ he said yesterday.

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1
Expat80

February 16, 2010 at 7:38 pm

Look, it’s quite simple. To control ‘development and improvements’ so that ugly eyesores and shoddy construction do not become the order of the day, there is a legal rule…..you need a permit to go-ahead before going ahead. And THAT rule applies to roofs the same as anything else. What could be simpler? There is nothing simpler! Go get approval before purchasing supplies and starting work !!

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2
Jay

February 18, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Was not aware that they were doing anything wrong in replacing an old roof with the same colour as before. where is the problem? It was a mess before covered in moss which causes damage over the years.

Lost mine in hurricane and had it replaced. Did not get permission. Does that mean that in future in case of hurricane everyone would all have to apply to get roofs replaced? Old or leaking roofs needing permission for replacement? sounds to me like the Planning Department do not have enough to do.
If a change of colour or type of tile then maybe as it would alter the overall appearance of a building.
I wonder how long everyone would have to wait after another hurricane to get written permission to put back their roof on the house whilst the committee goes through all of the applications to decide who could have a new roof and who could not.
Presumably based on who you as that seems to be the criteria. Are they going to make everyone else that has had a replacement roof over the years take them off?
In a lot of counties in England you actually get a grant towards a new roof not critisised!
Hammer is still in use I see. Stand back and look at what you are doing as a committee and see how an outsider would look at this scenario!

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3
bcb

February 19, 2010 at 11:30 am

As far as i am aware you dont need permission to replace an old roof if it goes back with the same tile or slate ie no changes made. And i`m sure there is no need to apply to carry out repairs either.

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4
BigSarkBob

February 24, 2010 at 4:28 am

This smells of a gravy train for bored and over-paid advocates in Guernsey and possibly Alderney?
Why dosen’t Mr Dunks simple talk to Mr Delaney? Someone could even buy a drink and try to smile?
For goodness sake Sark, grow-up and see yourself as others see you. Get a life.
It’s OK to be quirky but don’t be bloney stupid.

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