‘States failed to protect Candie greenhouses’

The Candie Gardens glasshouses are thought to date from 1780, making them some of the oldest in the British Isles.

Rotten timbers led to the lower one being closed to the public in 2018 and the upper one in 2019.

They are both protected monuments, but repairs were delayed due to Covid and the lack of available funding.

Now part of the lower glasshouse roof has collapsed.

By law all States departments have to ensure, so far as possible, that all protected monuments are protected and preserved.

Preservation notices are issued when work is required urgently to preserve or protect a protected monument or protected building, with those breaching them facing a fine.

But the Development & Planning Authority confirmed it had not issued a notice in this case. No reason was given.

Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services finally went out to seek expressions of interest to carry out repairs last September.

An ACLMS spokesman said that the damaged roof would not make a lot of difference to the work required on both of the glasshouses and it had had three expressions of interest from companies to carry out the repairs.

Two of the wooden beams supporting the structure have collapsed, with many of the surrounding glass panels breaking or becoming dislodged.

Debris from the shattered glass and fragments of the collapsed beams was scattered across the interior of the glasshouse.

Barriers have been put up to prevent people from entering.

Rot can be seen on many of the beams, while damp has led to the growth of moss.

National Trust of Guernsey president Mike Brown said that from its experiences it appreciated the onerous responsibility of owning and maintaining historic and iconic buildings, and it understood that the States had numerous demands on its funds.

‘However, having said that, we are naturally disappointed that these greenhouses have been allowed to fall into disrepair,’ he said.

‘Glasshouses are integral to the history and culture of Guernsey and accordingly these, as some of the oldest glasshouse in the UK, should be restored and preserved.’

An ACLMS spokesman said that tender documents were now being prepared.

It was hoped that work could start before this summer, but that was dependent on the weather.

‘The glasshouses are inspected regularly, and an inspection took place following the roof failure on the lower glasshouse at the end of October,’ he said. ‘This continues to be monitored to ensure minimal risk to the surrounding area and internal scaffolding will also be erected to allow for further safe building surveys.’

Such was the level of rot in the wood, extensive repairs were always going to be needed.

‘Although no-one wants to see the lower glasshouse in its current state, the roof collapse won’t make a material difference to the works that are required.

‘It will be fantastic to see these historic glasshouses restored to their former glory and we look forward to this work being progressed this year.’