Deputy Queripel: old vineries can be so much more
A RELAXATION of restrictions around derelict greenhouses could go further, a politician calling for more land for light industrial units has said.
Deputy Laurie Queripel was pleased a more flexible approach had been taken towards redundant vinery sites in Environment's new draft island development plan.
But while the document proposed a range of possibilities for sites within main centres, Deputy Queripel questioned whether more could be done with sites in agricultural areas, currently restricted to returning to agricultural purposes if cleared.
'I question whether the plans go far enough or are as equitable as they could be. Vinery sites could be subject to proportional development wherever they are located,' he said.
'This could be done in such a way that part of the area is used for development, whether that be residential or industrial or a combination of both, on the condition that the rest of the site is returned to green land and helps to create, wherever possible, contiguous agricultural land.
'The current situation cannot be desirable where vineries have become overgrown by brambles and other growth but often underneath are the remains of old boiler pits, structures, broken glass, remnants of leaded paint and other kinds of pollutants.
'It would surely be better to allow some limited development wherever the vinery is located on the condition that the green areas are properly cleaned up,' he said.
