Security fence at ‘cannabis vinery’ is approved
SECURITY fences and gate can be erected at a St Sampson’s vinery site, which could be used to grow cannabis, planners have said.
However, the measures will have to be removed if horticultural work ends there.
Planning permission for the work at Bellefleur Nursery, Les Martins, was sought by The House of Green, and will mean that a 2.4m-high security chain-link fence can be erected around the perimeter.
In the planning report, the planners said there were not relevant objections to the application.
The report also noted that horticultural operations were a viable industry.
‘The Island Development Plan supports horticultural businesses that are considered to make, or be capable of making, a material contribution to the horticultural industry and are likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future by virtue of their suitability for commercial operations,’ it stated.
‘It does this by enabling them to carry out extensions, alterations or rebuilding to existing structures, or ancillary or ordinarily incidental development, subject to certain requirements.’
However, in order to avoid redundant glasshouses and relevant structures remaining after any operations have ceased, there is a condition that the fencing be removed if it is no longer required.
‘The proposed fencing is capable of being easily removed on cessation of use, or when no longer required,’ the report states.
‘The proposed fencing is intended to provide security to the site in conjunction with the horticultural use of the existing glasshouses. The glasshouses will be used to grow plants and the fencing is required for purposes ancillary and incidental and essential to the horticultural growing activity on the site.’
The fencing would be positioned close to the glasshouses and away from any road frontage.
‘There would be no adverse effect on the landscape character of the area or on neighbouring properties,’ the report stated.
‘The proposal achieves a good standard of design commensurate with its function. The proposed fencing and gates are of an open chain-link style and will be coloured black.’
The planning report notes that security cameras and lighting units were discussed by the applicant, but full details were not provided.
‘Although there is no objection in principle to such security measures, always assuming that they are of a scale that amounts to development requiring planning permission, care will be required to ensure that in particular the lighting does not cause nuisance to neighbours or detract from the amenity of the locality,’ the report states.
The company has previously said that they hoped to start growing on the site in May.
Comment Page 15
n The Original Alternative and Celebrated Ltd has said it has no affiliation to the House of Green, its directors or associates.
