More vinery sites earmarked for the growing of cannabis
CANNABIS growing sites could soon be popping up all around the island if planning approval is granted.
Two further applications have been submitted on behalf of the licensed cannabis firm The House of Green, which grows it for medicinal use, to erect security fencing, gates, cameras and lighting, one at La Hougue Vinery in Les Abreuveurs in St Sampson’s and another at Orgeris Vinery in Les Rouvets Road in the Vale.
These add to the application for the La Villiaze Nursery on Guillard Lane in St Andrew’s.
In both the applications to the Development & Planning Authority, the request is to erect 2.44m-high climb resistant metal security fencing around the perimeter, 2.44m-high security gates along with security cameras and lighting.
There will also be motion sensor security measures within the glasshouses themselves.
These plans look to put The House of Green firmly on the map and help it to carry out its aim in keeping the use of empty glasshouses as horticultural and using the sites for growing cannabis, after recently taking on the long-term lease of the former Fresh Guernsey Herbs site in Les Abreuveurs for such a purpose.
The company had said at the time it was in discussions with several growers to keep using empty glasshouses for horticultural, rather than lose them to agricultural use, and had also just invested in £25,000-worth of security at its £2m. facility on the Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate.
For both La Hougue and Orgeris vineries, The House of Green has been given permission by the site’s owners to use the land.
A couple who live near to the site at Les Abreuveurs said they would be pleased to see the site maintain its horticultural usage.
‘We’re used to the vinery being used by Guernsey Herbs so we’re not overly concerned about traffic or noise,’ they said.
‘The only reservations we have – and we’ve not looked into it too much – are the potential smells that might waft over, and the light pollution.
‘We had a good relationship with the previous owners and have no reason to believe that wouldn’t continue with new ones.’
Another resident said she was pretty laid back about the application and said if it was going to be beneficial to a business on the island she was pleased to see the site used.
n Any comments on either the La Hougue Vinery or the Orgeris Vinery applications are to be submitted to the Development & Planning Authority by 7 February.
The planning applications can be accessed from reception at Sir Charles Frossard House.