'We could have lost our homes over data park'

ST SAMPSON'S douzeniers could have faced massive financial bills and even have lost their homes if the parish had not changed its mind and granted a bornement for the entrance to the Guernsey Data Park.

Parishioners expressed outrage at last night's parish meeting after finally having the decision explained to them.

Junior constable Paul Le Pelley explained the actions the parish had taken but said the threat of legal action against individuals, and potentially million-pound bills if the development was delayed, had proved too much. Parish officials discovered during the legal wrangle that they were not insured in such circumstances, and that they could even lose their houses.

'We had to go through the process to find out. We were under oath to do our best for the parish. Once you are summonsed you have to go to court. You have to abide by the law and follow the legal stages that exist. It's very similar to the risks taken by somebody putting in to bid a wager.'