How much power does Environment think it has?
Thursday 21st October 2010, 2:29PM BST.
Hege and Andrew Bougourd outside their St Andrew’s home from which they are being evicted. They claim the Environment Department has been interfering with the sale process. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1026251)
A COUPLE being evicted from their home claim that the Environment Department has interfered in their attempt to sell it.
In January, Close Finance (CI) Ltd was awarded judgement for £126,000 against Andrew and Hege Bougourd.
The Bougourds have admitted breaching planning laws when they built the property, Le Haux, Les Niaux, St Andrew’s, which overlooks Talbot Valley.
Mr Bougourd claims that a member of the Swoffers staff told him that director of planning services Jim Rowles had contacted the estate agent following the property being advertised in the Guernsey Press. ‘He said he [Mr Rowles[ had told them that he wanted to bring it to their attention that there were ongoing planning issues with the house,’ said Mr Bougourd.
‘How much authority does the Environment Department think it has? The sale has nothing to do with them.’
Swoffers director Andre Austin would not comment on the allegation that Mr Rowles had contacted his company.
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Jim Rowles must’ve been bored that day. Yes there’s a problem with the house which needs to be disclosed to any potential buyer – but thats not his role. He seems to be making a hobby out of making things as painful as possible for people lately.
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Jim Roles and Guernsey’s Planning Department has everything to do with the Bougourds attempt to sell their illegally built house. Mr Roles should also be complimented on following-up, complimented indeed for not being asleep at the switch in the Bougourds attempt to offload the problem of their illegally built home onto another perhaps unsuspecting ‘Illegal owner’, costing Guernsey taxpayers many thousands more pounds to sort out the mess. I believe the Planning Department is to be respected for standing firm on this issue. Let it be a warning to anyone else who attempts to circumvent Guernsey’s laws by building illegally.
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I think it’s about time Mr. Rowles stepped down as Chief Director of planning because it’s obvious all this power has clouded the part of his brain that governs his common sense and consience. It also appears to have blinded him a little too as he seems to miss the more blatant illegal usage of other areas and buildings which are completely out of character with the Island, Plus it appears his hearing is also affected because, Most importantly, he’s not listening to what the locals want, (who, in effect, Pay his wages)!!! We need a true Guernseyman at the helm to help ur maintain our Island life!
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I think Mr Rowles should be commended for acting in the best interests of the Estate Agency and any potential buyer
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If I was buying it i would certainly want to know, indeed, I would be looking for somebody to sue if the information was withheld.
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Where was Jimmy when they were building the house?
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He was there telling them it was illegal, but they built it anyway.
Good to see this Bougourd continuing to embarrass himself and give me a good laugh at the same time. Keep up the good work.
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Looking at the photo, looks like its falling down by itself!
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Apologies, my previous post was meant for another post involving petty issues that appear to have riled the majority of locals of late. This one i can kind of understand to a degree. Still don’t think they should have to lose their home tho if agreements have been made to make good the situation. :-)
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Well, to anyone looking at the press who hasnt been following this story who happens to be looking for a 1.15M house in St Andrews, I’d have thought they have a right to know before they enquire that there is serious remiedial work required. As do the estate agents if they dont already know (but I’m assuming they do, and would like to play it down as to help the sales process).
For once Environment are spot on, I am a big critic of theirs of late, but that house should not be advertised for sale in the manner it should be.
This isnt a 2nd hand car that needs new brakes!!
Mr Bougourd obviously is attempting to jump on the anti-environment bandwagon with his quite ludicrous intimation that Environment havent got the right to phone an estate agent and remind them that this is the house thats been in papers about 6 times and has I’d say, what amounts to massive planning issues!!
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Do not fret, rest assured, life will be made as difficult as possible for the Bougourds. Do like the rest of us and get the hell off his Godforsaken place. All my family are Guernsey born and sick to the back teeth with all the petty rules and regulations required to live in this Island. It’s just a place for the banks, the rich and retired. So many people are leaving so that they can live a normal life. I have now realized that the members of The Environment Department must all be perfect in every way. If you don’t come up to their standards then they will make your life a living hell. They took the Swastika down 60 years ago. It wasn’t even as bad then.
Goodbye Guernsey and hello to freedom.
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Ok, Legally , if you bought a house that is not “as plan” the value is virtually zero , in fact its unlikely to change hands as it is effectively unmortgagable.
15 years ago I bought a flat opposite Frossard House, the plans showed the parking space allocated to the flat, these plans were , after being approved the parking space was reallocated due to the fact that one of my neighbours had a disabled child and needed to park closer to the property, I had no problems with that as if I had been in a similar situation I would have wanted the same. Once the changes had been put on the plans all was legal and the property was mortgageable.
Firstly the Bougourd’s made unplanned alterations to their property which would have increased the footprint and therefore usuable space. This in turn pushes the value of the house UP, which if approved is brilliant for them but if not approved should effectivley make the property only worth the resale value of the materials used . if that was a £400 garden shed then no great loss but for over a million ???
If you feel like moving then no problem , I have plenty of time available to take you and your luggage to the airport, Just remember that EVERYWHERE has regulations , spend a little of your well earned time watching programmes such as Grand Designs to see what others get up to , both home and abroad.
In no way am I a fan of the relevant departments having previously had things turned down that were “out of character” but the simple things is that wherever in the world you are – if you break the law you are liable for prosecution and the consequences.
Other alternative is to go and work for the Env. Dept and sort out his “mess”.
An Estate agent is there to get your money , regardless of the consequences, I would put a lot of this “headline” as blame on them for not disclosing the situation if they haven’t already, bear in mind that they stand to benefit in the region of £20,000 for advertising the property.
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