Mixed views over light industry on vinery site

Politicians will decide tomorrow whether to approve a change of use, which would allow businesses such as those currently at the Fontaine Vinery to move onto the privately-owned site.

Planners have called on the Development & Planning Authority to reject the application, citing high public visibility and the natural beauty of the coastal area.

Jane and Terry Le Vallee, who have lived in the area for more than 30 years, said they remembered when the redundant vinery was still in use.

Mrs Le Vallee said the land was already in a state of disrepair, and felt it made sense to find a use for it.

'We are quite happy for it to go ahead – looking inland all you see are derelict glasshouses,' she said. 'I have no objections to it and have spoken to the owner, who seems really committed to shielding it from view.'

Mr Le Vallee said the vinery was large enough to house light industry and was confident sufficient soft landscaping would take place.

'I have no real objection to it at all,' he said.

'The only downside is that a precedent was set a few years ago when someone tried to do the same thing at Portinfer, which was turned down. On that occasion I think the access was a bit too tight.'

However, Stuart Ayres, who lives in a property neighbouring the site, said plans to leave the westerly paddock and field near the coast road undeveloped were not enough.

'I am against it as over the years the owner has made no effort to restore the glasshouses,' he said. 'The owner is a speculator who has never run a vinery and his only interest is in making vast amounts of cash without doing any work.'