Minister’s ‘rural’ contractor yard conversion is rejected
Tuesday 4th May 2010, 2:29PM BST.
Heavy vehicles have been passing 82-year-old Lorna Queru’s house to get to Deputy Dave Jones’s property off La Marette Road, St Sampson’s, and she is relieved that his retrospective application for a change in use has been turned down. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0962310)
HOUSING minister Dave Jones’ retrospective bid to turn a field into a contractors’ yard has been rejected.
The Environment Department has refused the planning application for the site at La Marette Road, St Sampson’s, because it said the proposal did not satisfy the provisions of policies relating to the Rural Area Plan.
Residents of the ruette tranquille road complained last year that the yard was ‘damaging the area’.
They said Deputy Jones should not have changed the use of the site before seeking permission.
Deputy Jones refused to comment about the application because he felt it was not in the public interest.
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On a broad note; Should a minister in our government not be making an application prior to a change of use?
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Does Jones think he’s above the rules that we all have to abide by?
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I’m a member of the public and I’m interested.
Not like David Jones to be out of touch is it………
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Of course it’s not in the public interest that one of our more high profile deputies (by his own making) has been flouting planning laws by changing the use of land without permission and with obvious disregard for the nearby residents, it’s not his parish so it doesn’t matter eh..!
Quite obviously Mr Jones is entitled to put in applications for anything he wishes to do with land or property he owns just as we all are.
The problem arises when, as a politician who alledgedly speaks for the people and was voted in by the people, he does not lead by example.
Roll on Island wide voting so the residents of this “Ruette Tranquille” can vote on Mr Jones’ future as an elected representative of this island.
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I wonder if we will now get a long long even longer letter of why he was refused,
It shows that even non Islanders CAN also get refusal
AMAZING!!!
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Tom/Jerry
I have never heard of a “non Islander”.
Can you explain what you mean by that phrase as it might affect my comment on your post.
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I reckon we should all change the use of our land, without permission of course. If Big Dave can do it, everybody can!
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Come on Dave.
So “It’s your right as an islander to submit a retrospective application”
I may be wrong but, does’nt “Retrospective” mean you got caught.
Are you saying we should all do whatever we want to do and if we get caught chuck in a “Retro”
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I’m gonna play devils advocate here as this seems to me like another Guernsey Press witch hunt. I used to live in this area years ago and a long established skip company has shared the majority of the yard up that lane for as long as I can remember. I’ve been up the lane many times and would hardly describe it as a field, it has a large concrete hard area and an old packing type shed that were there long before Jones had it.
I can’t see what he’s done wrong to be fair as loads of people make retrospective applications and they never make the headlines in the press.
Tom/Jerry as for the comment “Non-local” grow up mate!
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Sure Danny; I’ll grow up when that old song about banging the empire drum finally stops.
Many Guernsey people think as I do; why should the UK try to rule the waves?
As for the remark about the ‘”Press” well if you haven’t noticed, it’s the “GUERNSEY PRESS”
That means it serves the Guernsey People.
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Danny
Its certainly true that the GP appear to have angled the article as a “Naughty States Member” story.
I personally dont think Dave Jones is helping his cause with his “no story” approach.
It may well be that this situation has evolved to become outside of acceptable peramiters for the lands present classification, and that Dave Jones has tried to address the issue!
Its unfortunate, in this case, that over recent years the GP has changed its journalistic style towards local politics and politicians to being more synical and almost tabloid in approach.
I suspect Dave Jones is reluctant to open up to them for this reason.
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Danny!
I will not say that it is you who should grow up, however my remark was the ¨fact that the mentioned minister is an import, not a Guernsey man; Oh I know now I’ll get the usual (Xenophobic, racist and all that goes with it)
But stop and think.
Why should our Island be ruled by outsiders, we have enough idiots to do that with out importing more, say what you will, for centuries the UK ha treated us like 3rd world, and that because some of us will always speak up for our Island.
Read some of our history, then you’ll see what went on.
And don’t tell me that’s old hash- if so why is so much by other countries including the UK constantly brought to print.
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It would appear, from other comments on this site, that this area of land has had similar use in the past.
however, given Mr Jones’s position as a Minister, you would have thought he would have ensured he had the correct permission.
Do our politicians think that planning rules do not apply to them/ They should set an example.
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Tom/Jerry, it was the people of Guernsey who voted this “import” into goverment via a democratic election process. Seems to me that your “locals” do not share your opinion.
If you follow local politics you will know that Mr Jones, although not born in our island is as Guernsey as the rest of us when it comes to interference from the UK and EU.
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Eric…..oops Tom/Jerry
You really do talk the most unmitigated twaddle.
Eveyone had to come here at some stage unless of course you beleive that Genesis and creation happened in the Rue Sauvage.
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Dave, Dave the Housing Minister, are you there???
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This site is owned by my family and we do not comment to the Press on family matters.
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John
I certainly agree that our politicians should set an example, and that includes Dave Jones.
It would seem that he has infact tried to ensure that he has the correct permission and that is what lead to the article!
The more interesting details, i.e. how long has he owned the land, when did he realise it needed a change of use, when did he first apply etc etc, dont get a look in as the “big” storys of “NOT A GUERN” and “A MINISTER” seem to prevail.
As for more recent GP political coverage, I can understand anyone not wishing to fuel a story that appears angled against themselves!
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Come on Dave, a bit of of consistency please! Firstly you won’t comment because you don’t feel it’s in the public interest, then it’s because it’s a family matter. And yet in the past you’ve been quite happy to talk about it. Perhaps you ought to change the name of the company that you have an interest in from Bend Ltd to Bend The Rules Ltd?
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A member of The States not abiding by the laws / rules / regulations of the land is now a ‘family matter’? Outstanding! But not good enough.
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‘ Dave Jones
Unbelievable!! You have an opinion on everything but you call this a familly matter.
I call it abusing the system. surely as a states memeber you must have known you needed permission. I have always been very impressed with you in the past but no longer>
familly matter – that really takes the biscuit! behaving just like the UK MP’s when they got caught
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Oh Mr Jones, how convenient that you can comment on everyone else’s family matters but cannot comment on your own. Come on now you were caught “dead to rights” just hold out your wrists for the cuffs and no more need be said.
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So, Dave Jones is the latest politician to be voted in for crucifiction, no doubt like others in senior positions in Government his situation will be bought back to haunt him on every conceivable occasion. I fully support Dave’s stance to maintain privacy with regard to his family matters,he was bought up in an institution, without the benefit of family love, support and care; he is a genuine, hard working man who is not afraid to speak his mind and we should all be grateful that he chose to give something back to Guernsey, by standing for government.
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Dave Jones really has gone down in my estimation.
I believed his “man of the people” veneer but underneath he is just out for himself like most politicians.
I note he is usually a regular contributor here but he is strangely quiet on this particular article.
Just another politician seduced by the power it gives them.
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Fist of all how is it in the publics interest to discuss the business affairs of my wife and children on a public forum or in the Guernsey press? I have no permission from them to do so and as they are all grown adults they can speak for themselves should they wish to do so. I will however correct some of the misinformation about this particular site. The Press as usual have very few of the facts right, in the first instance it is not a field, and as one other contributor to this blog who knows the area well has said , it has not been a field for years, on it there is already a concrete hard standing and a small shed both of which were there when our family bought the property several years ago. There was also a tree surgeon running his business on the property when we bought it, running a perfectly legitimate logging business without hindrance and we had no objection to him staying until he could relocate elsewhere. Previously there had been a wooden green house on the site as the one alongside it also once had. This previous green house site is now a skip yard and the other green house site across from me now has a large industrial shed on it. Our property has not been a field for about 80 years. Secondly the majority of the site is already a contractors yard as the owner of the skip business Mr Cummins clearly stated in the press artical. A skip business run by him that has nothing whatsoever to do with me or my family and he has also been operating from this site without hindrance for over 20 years.
I might also add that much of the traffic referred to along the track passing the houses are the skip trucks belonging to this business, again nothing to do with me or my family.
We could have put the application in under the family company name, however we did not think that was being honest and therefore I used my own name being completely open during the whole process and it was my signature at the bottom of the letter applying for retrospective permission. Although it is of course a company application.
Any time I have spoken on Environment matters recently in my political life, concerning change of use, I have declared an interest and informed people that I had an application into Environment for change of use. We could have got any member of my family within the company to sign it. For those of you who ask why did we use the site before gaining permission? The answer is simple, because there is already a long established contractors yard on the SAME site, so in that respect we did not think we needed permission. Also the small area applied for had had various industrial activities on it long before my family bought the site. The Ruette Tranquil has also been added in recent years, some of the traffic using this route, is traffic related to this the skip business which has been using the lane for many years before the lane had this designation placed upon it, other traffic is general movement of vehicles just as there has always been.
As for abiding by the rules, we have done what many islanders have done in the past and I have no doubt will continue to do in the future and that is apply for retrospective permission for a small area on a site that is predominantly used as industrial. The application as I have already said only refers to a very small area already covered by a concrete hard standing and the small existing shed, it does not cover the rest of the site. There have to my knowledge been several such retrospective applications in recent times, a prominent one recently concerning external seating and related areas of a west coast hotel. I even remember the ex chief planning officer making a retrospective application for some windows on a property he once owned, on that occasion I believe he was successful. So none of this procedure is new, I think what is new, is the sanctimonious, self- riotous outpourings of people who know none of the facts and are happy to ridicule anyone on the basis of an inaccurate press article and gossip. I do not blame anyone thinking of standing for the States for dismissing that thought very quickly, as you will clearly loose all your rights as an islander and your reputation will be systematically damaged by a handful of pious armchair judges. I have been accused on here of being “out for myself” I find that unbelievable, that a retrospective application has now been translated into me being “out for myself” My children have rights don’t they? They ARE both local, even if I am not. They didn’t stand for election nor do they deserve the kind of outrageous tripe being spouted by some on here. I am also at loss to know when I have discussed other people’s family matters on a public forum? Perhaps Ted will enlighten us all. Perhaps John you could also explain how I have “abused the system” the system exists for cases such as this, it is written into the legislation and is a perfectly legitimate policy. We have committed NO crime. There, you have got my attention and you can now trott off and try and find a different angle to attack from. I find this a little ironic, as I am posting this on Liberation Day, it would seem the attitudes of some have not changed since the occupation and perhaps after all, me and my family should be carted off wearing some kind of symbol showing that I was daft enough to stand for public office and subsequently used the planning laws.
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Nice one Dave,
I have been banging on for years that you were pontificated and dealt in double-standards.
At least now others can see the light.
As for the ‘it is not in the public interest’ statement, that is very rich coming from someone who is constantly sticking their oar in on this website for the behest of puffing their very own chest. Yes, the idea of a blog is to pass opinion, but you are always playing the ‘I am right because I am a politician and therefore perfect’ card.
Wonder what toys you will throw out of your pram now Dave? Who will you be slighting senselessly using this medium over the next few months.
I recommend that readers take whatever abuse Dave directs at his peer – or other people in commercial positions – with a pinch of salt as it is clear that he is totally self serving.
As a Deputy you are expected Dave to behave in ways that are considered to be above the average person’s values, this ensures that you recognise issues like self-serving behaviour and conflicts of interests (such as using this website to present your views).
I wonder how many other politicians have been vetoed, vetted or edited for the sake of ensuring you have a prime view; to be fair I expect not many, however it casts the types of doubts that you should be seeking to avoid.
Take my advice from 2008, resign.
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Darren
In the main I answer questions that are asked by other contributors to this forum, clearly that annoys you and there is little I can do about that. I tell it from the political view as is my job and sometimes I also give a personal view from time to time which I am entitled to do. I also have the same values as everyone other decent person and I live under the same laws as everyone else including the right to make an application retrospectively. You are clearly rattled about something else but while you continue to hide behind whatever name you have chosen, I will always be at a disadvantage from being able to figure out what your real grievance might be.
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“I also have the same values as everyone other decent person”.
And that just about sums up an egotistical, uncritical in their thinking and out of touch human being.
Bring on island-wide voting.
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Dave Jones
I wouldn`t even bother to reply to some of these pathetic comments as they are clearly using this as a personal battering towards you and have nothing to do with the article.
Darren your first line says it all really, “you been bangin on for years”. And now youv`e seen your chance to spurt out a load of bull, pathetic.
Stiletto
Well said.
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Dave Jones
This has obviously struck a nerve. We are all allowed to have our own opinion and you have gone down in my estimation due to this shabby affair.
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Dave your dammned if you do and your damned if you don’t, so why worry?.
There are some people who will never forgive you for being born somewhere else other than Guernsey no matter what you may do for the island.
But remember thats their problem not yours.
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Bryn
Bring it on it will get my full support when it comed before the States.
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It was the Environment Department who had decided that the area has changed from agricultural land and therefore an application had to be made purely because in their (the Environment Department’s) opinion the land had changed use. Making a retrospective application is not against the rules especially when as far as the owner is concerned nothing has changed.
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Pete,bcb and Stiletto are spot on. This is a chance for the Island’s whingers to have a go at one of the few Deputies who have the guts to contribute online.
Probably best to withdraw completely from this thread Dave Jones and it will die a natural death in time
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Ray I think I will take your advice
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Yes bring on island wide voting
Dave Jones will get a vote from me.
Darren/ Bryn you are (both!!) pathetic, if you have a beef with Dave, phone him and talk to him about it, he’s readily available, but methinks you too much of a coward.
If you bother to reply to this, re-read Dave’s post, and tell us what you would have done differently in his situation??
The answer will be “nothing” because Dave has done nothing wrong.
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Dave Jones:
I am not usually a big fan of your approach on these threads, but in this matter I think you can take the moral high ground. I would be interested to know what you are accused of by so many objectors on this thread. As far as I can see retrospective permission applications are permitted in these circumstances. So what is it you are being berated for?
Perhaps I should address that question to some others posters:
What is it that Dave Jones has done wrong exactly?
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One or two have had a gripe. Big deal. Many more will see DJ as a man that is interactive & transparent. A true peoples deputy. Guernsey needs more of his quality & dedication in office.
Whilst 99% of the other elected are happy to sit safely in the trenches, he is over the top & leading the way dealing with whatever comes forward. Tirelessly & individually. Often dealing with things of little or no consequence. This particular thread being a classic example. But recognising whilst insignificant to many it may be important to the individual.
Can’t please all the people all of the time. Always will be a few bitter haters. Just a shame none of them can explain what it is they are ranting about. Probably just bitter for the sake of being bitter. Sympathies for them.
As a deputy nobody can deny he does a sterling job & seems to find twenty five hours in every day. I think the masses can identify what is what here. Shame this tiny fraction can’t be mature enough to sort out their differences. If there actually is any?
Darren & Bryn. Sort out your differences or shut your winging mouths.
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