Alderney States uses compulsory purchase for essential airport land

SIX years of failed negotiation led to the States of Alderney compulsorily purchasing land near the airport – but it faces further legal action from the owner.

All nine States members passed the resolution to buy the land, which General Services Committee chairman Bill Walden, pictured, said it had to own so it could comply with updated Civil Aviation Authority recommendations.

For the last six years it had purchased piecemeal, leased or in some cases swapped parcels of States property for corridors of land flanking the grass runway.

But States members heard that in the case of the last strip of land required, the owner. Patrick Sebire, was refusing to sell.

He is taking the GSC to court over a matter connected with the dispute, claiming it encroached upon his land and seeking an order for reinstatement, costs and damages