Fort Hommet’s bunkers to be hooked up to electric supply

It took more than a year for the planners to grant Festung Guernsey the permission, which will eventually see an electrical cable stretch all the way to the end of the headland, hooking up five bunkers to the mains.

Project co-ordinator Paul Bourgaize said it was pleased to finally get approval.

He said discussions would start with Guernsey Electricity on how to get the first two phases of the cable installation done this year.

That would take the cable to the upper car park.

However, the third and final phase will be more expensive and complex.

‘It’s the sheer distance,’ Mr Bourgaize said.

‘Guernsey Electricity will stop at the top of the hill and that gets supplies to that area.

‘But then it’s almost the same distance again to the fort.’

The power will make a big difference to Festung.

Currently generators have to be used to get power to the bunkers.

‘The bunkers have a lot of equipment and they also suffer terminally from condensation and damp,’ he said.

‘So having power allows for dehumidifiers and to keep them warm. It also allows other parties, like tour guides, to open them without having to fiddle with the generator. So it makes the site more accessible and helps with the upkeep.’

While this is a big project and has taken a long time to come through planning, Mr Bourgaize said Festung Guernsey was already looking to prepare its next application, which would see substantial landscaping.

‘We have made proposals to turn the headland into a world-class heritage site,’ he said.

‘We are going to do a planning application to do the rest of the work in one hit.

‘There will be a lot more involved with that, with lots of parties.

'It’s about returning the headland to its original wartime landscape, improving access and making a proper trail.’

He said it was not clear yet when that application would be made, because it would involve talking to a number of groups, and he said it was important everyone was happy with it.