Powerful emotions at private Grande Mare pylons meeting

More than 50 neighbours met four representatives from the developers and Development & Planning Authority president Deputy Victoria Oliver and director of planning Jim Rowles in a private meeting at the Castel Douzaine Room.

Sheena Annan, whose property backs onto the new driving range and has organised a petition opposing the pylons, said that the meeting had been powerful and emotional.

‘The purpose of this meeting was fact-finding, and we are currently processing the feedback and deciding on next steps,’ she said. A statement from the neighbours is expected, perhaps later this week.

The pylons were erected within 24 hours two weeks ago to support nets for the new golf development’s driving range.

The controversial story has even made the UK national newspapers, featuring in The Sun a few days later.

Efrem Cockett, another resident who was present at the meeting, said that neighbours who spoke had been visibly upset, and he felt there had been a lack of empathy and remorse from the developers.

Deputy Oliver, who has previously admitted that the pylons are currently ‘a blot on the landscape’, confirmed she had attended the meeting.

‘The meeting was a good opportunity to listen to the concerns of residents and for myself and the developer to answer some of their questions.

'We’ve agreed to keep lines of communication open as the development progresses,' she said.

The online petition opposing the pylons now has more than 2,300 signatures.

‘It’s only been six days since it was launched,’ said Mrs Annan.

‘It’s certainly picked up momentum, and we are now circulating hard copies as well as the online version.’

The height of the pylons was highlighted as a concern in the original planning report, with the planners noting that they would have an adverse visual impact on the character and openness of the area. But they were needed for safety.

• The petition can be seen at www.bit.ly/46szjuu.