Festung Guernsey in bid to restore Fort Hommet bunkers
FESTUNG GUERNSEY has submitted a planning application to restore Second World War bunkers on the Fort Hommet headland.
Three phases are outlined to connect the bunkers to mains electricity, excavate the original German anti-tank gun (Pak) shelter and demolish a wall blocking its entrance, remove vegetation, create pathways and reinstate its original roofing.
Phase one should be completed within six months, if permission is granted.
It focuses on connecting the Pak shelter with electricity, which will be used as an electricity meter hub, before connecting to the other fortifications in phases two and three.
‘This is the first phase of a number of proposals made for the headland,’ said Paul Bourgaize, Festung Guernsey project co-ordinator.
‘We’re starting off with the most important part – getting a cable into the Pak bunker. The bunker itself will not be open to the public but it will be reinstated. The existing doorway was blocked up post-war, so we will be removing the blocks and fitting it with a lockable door.’
Close to the PAK shelter is an anti-tank gun garage, which formerly had four-inch thick metal plating on its roof.
‘It was intended to be used to protect machine guns, offering maximum armoured protection. We had a whole load sent to Guernsey which was never used for its intended purpose. Some years ago some of these armoured plates were recovered by Marine & General, who very kindly donated them to us. We are hoping to reinstate them onto the garage’s roof if our application is accepted.’
The interiors of these bunkers have been hidden from public view since shortly after the war.
‘Crews were clearing scrap metal from the bunkers early post-war, not long after liberation.’
Landscaping is also proposed to enable access to dormant doorways.
Phase two and three should span over the next five to 10 years.
‘That was the intention, but we’ve seen from this year that you can’t always plan ahead.’
Phase two involves connecting the M19 mortar bunker, personnel bunker and 10.5cm casemate to power.
Phase three involves connecting the searchlight bunker and armoured turret bunker.
PF+A Architecture is supporting the project free of charge.
Pete Falla, PF+A architectural support, said: ‘We’re really proud to be able to help these guys continue preserving and investigating the island’s historical structures.’
A planning decision is expected in early January. Representations must be made to the Planning Service by Friday 8 January.
