Businessman calls for local centre rethink
EXCLUDING Landes du Marche from the island's over-arching draft development plan is a 'missed opportunity', a businessman has warned.
Managing director of Stan Brouard Ltd, Rodney Brouard, pictured, said he disagreed with the plan setting out only six local centres, namely St Martin's, Cobo, St Peter's, L'Islet, Forest, and L'Aumone, and he believed Landes du Marche should be included.
Mr Brouard said he largely agreed with the Environment Department's sustainability indicators for a local centre, whereby it must contain a general convenience store selling fresh produce and at least four of the following – a doctor's surgery, a primary school, a bank or cash point, an amenity area, community facilities, leisure and recreation facilities, a post office and a bus service.
'I generally agree with the sustainability indicators, although in the draft island plan it clearly states that the list ''includes'' these nine and therefore other sustainability indicators should be considered.
'I have previously requested for Landes du Marche to be counted as a local centre both verbally and in writing to the Environment Department on several occasions. It is about the same distance and size as St Martin's centre, and L'Aumone being included in the draft island plan and not Landes du Marche seems a strange decision if you compare the facilities at each location.'
