Friday 29 November 2013
Guernsey Press enquiry
Media Enquiry from Juliet Pouteaux, Guernsey Press:
I am following up on the second planning refusal for the BSJA site at Chemin Le Roi. I know the department does not comment on individual cases, but the reasons behind the refusal raise some interesting questions.
It states that the underlying quality of the agricultural land was good, despite there being alot of rubbish left behind under the surface.
I was hoping to find out how the department determines what is ' good quality agricultural land' and how does contamination with rubbish, like glass and rusted metal, affect that decision?
Also, is there any consideration given to the cost of clearing land like this when an application is decided i.e. whether it is economically viable to remove the rubbish?
Lastly, does the department consult with local farmers about its determinations on good land, or is all the work done in-house by the departments?
Environment Department response:
In reaching its decision on any planning application affecting agricultural land, the Environment Department may consult with the Commerce and Employment Department, as it did here. The Commerce and Employment Department provides expert advice concerning agricultural matters which are taken into account by the Environment Department when applying the relevant policies of the Rural Area Plan.
In this case, the expert advice provided and the planning assessment of the application are fully set out in the planning application report and decision which are available on this website.
The Commerce and Employment Department confirmed the quality of the land on the basis of the evidence set out in its consultation response and included in the planning report.
Costs of clearing land can vary and were not a determinative factor in this decision.
The Commerce and Employment Department maintains contacts with the local farming community. The Commerce and Employment Department confirmed the quality of the land on the basis of the evidence set out in its consultation response and included in the planning report.
-ENDS-
