Grande Mare pylons ‘a blot on landscape’
NEW 30-metre pylons at La Grande Mare are ‘a blot on the landscape’, according to the president of the States committee which approved the golf resort development.
But Victoria Oliver said planning permission would not be revoked by the Development & Planning Authority.
She has told neighbours of the development at Vazon that she understands why many of them are upset and has offered to organise a meeting between them and developers next week in an effort to improve strained relations.
‘There’s no denying it looks awful,’ she said yesterday.
‘At the moment they are having an adverse effect on the environment, but should look better once planting of the semi-mature trees has taken place.
‘We are hoping to act as the middle man, and have spoken to the developers, who will also attend the meeting.’
Deputy Oliver recalled that netting at the golf development at St Pierre Park had to be extended because stray balls were clearing its driving range.
‘It is a catch-22 situation. At the end of the day the nets are for the safety of the residents. We are looking at ways the visual impact can be mitigated.’
Sheena Annan, whose property backs on to the new driving range, where 17 pylons were erected in just a few hours on Thursday, said she had contacted Deputy Oliver after canvassing neighbours and finding every single one was shocked at the negative impact the pylons had on the area.
‘There are very strong feelings among the residents. Anyone who looks at them just says “what on earth?”,’ she said.
‘Deputy Oliver has said that she and the director of planning will come to a meeting to listen to our concerns. It should be early next week.
‘I want to reassure residents that we are arranging the meeting and they will of course be welcome to attend.’
She said she was unsure if anything could be done about the pylons retrospectively.
‘But something has to be done. For the whole of Guernsey, this is simply unacceptable.’
Mrs Annan said that many residents felt that the pylons were not representative of images they had been shown at an open meeting when plans were first submitted.
‘The images were all beautiful. There is a general consensus that people did not understand the impact, and so did not object.’
She also said that she and other neighbours had received a regular bulletin from the developers about the work on the day the pylons were erected, which had made only passing reference to them.
‘I think they knew it would be controversial. We don’t complain about all the work that goes on from 7am to 7pm, almost everyone is behind the development.’
Other members of the DPA were also approached.
Vice-president Andrew Taylor said he was off-island and not in a position to comment, as he had not yet seen the pylons. He was, however, aware of people’s concerns and said he would look at the matter when he returned.
Deputy John Dyke said he felt this was a matter for Deputy Oliver and that he was unable to comment further as he was about to go into a meeting.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller could not be contacted.
Deputy Chris Blin was elected to the DPA only after the application was approved.
