Anti-Pylon Group Want Planning Laws Reviewed

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 11:45

Nearly 5,000 islanders have signed a petition against the Grande Mare Pylons, some of which are 90 feet high.

The group suspects 'special permissions' were given to the La Grande Mare project - allowing 17 tall pylons to be erected along Guernsey's west coast.

Jason Le Ray speaks for the group and says Policy S5 may have been improperly used by planners:

"We consider Policy S5 should only be used only for exceptional cases and for developments of critical strategic importance to the island - like a hospital, or power generation, sewage treatment, or coastal defences. Not for the enhancement of a private golf course.

So we are wondering how this particular application managed to meet the Policy S5 criteria."

The group feels that the public weren't properly informed about how tall the structures would be.

Mr Le Ray believes the Development and Planning Authority has a duty of care:

"The planning notices didn't mention any pylons and the pylons drawings were buried in amongst 47 drawings.

The laws as they stand do not lend themselves to inspection by a layman.

There should be no surprises when a development goes up - all of the arguments and all of the issues should of been had before that - but that wasn't the case in this instance."