Andrew and Hege Bougourd outside their St Andrew’s home. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0979397)

THE Environment Department was only doing its job when it contacted an estate agent regarding the potential sale of a controversial house, according to a spokesman.

Andrew and Hege Bougourd claimed last week that the department had interfered in their attempt to sell their home, Le Haux Les Niaux, St Andrew’s, from which they are being evicted.  The couple breached the planning laws when they built their home and plans have now been approved for what they need to do to make the construction compliant.

A spokesman for the department confirmed that a staff member had contacted Swoffers when the home went on the market. Under the island’s new planning law, a homeowner can be liable for any planning law breaches that a previous owner might have been responsible for.

‘The department has inspected Mr and Mrs Bougourd’s property following the announcement it is being marketed for sale and has found that works have been carried out to remove the first floor gable facing the Talbot Valley, in accordance with the terms of the permission granted,’ he said.

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