Fire training area could be built on part of Alderney’s Lager Sylt

The document also detailed how a historic barrow would also be lost as part of work on the runway safety ends.

Alderney’s planning officers are recommending the plans to strengthen and extend the runway, and construct a new passenger terminal and fire station, be approved, after looking in detail at the various matters impacting the application.

The application site comprises the majority of the existing airport area, as well as additional land, primarily to the north and west.

It is adjacent to and partially overlaps with the Lager Sylt Conservation Area towards the south-westerly end.

The report states that part of the existing fire training ground at the south-western side of the application site and within the airport perimeter is on the Lager Sylt Conservation Area.

The proposed development includes the construction of hardstanding at the fire training ground, which would entail some excavation in order to construct the sub-base.

‘Groundworks and excavation required for the installation of the new fire training area, access track, surfacing and associated drainage, have the potential to disturb or remove buried archaeological remains associated with the known structures of the SS guard’s compound,’ the report states.

‘This would result in a minor, partial, loss or disturbance of the archaeological interest of the conservation area, which could be mitigated by an appropriate programme of archaeological investigation.’

A written scheme of investigation – known as a WSI – will have to be prepared before work starts due to the historical significance of the Lager Sylt camp.

‘This would ensure that appropriate mitigation, identified in consultation with the States of Guernsey archaeologist, would be carried out before construction works at the fire training ground commence,’ the report said.

Lager Sylt is one of eight conservation areas in Alderney and was added to the list in 2018.

The report also details how the remains of a late Neolithic or Bronze Age barrow are sited at the south-west of the application site.

‘The area would form part of the proposed westerly Resa and the required landscaping work would probably result in the destruction of the surviving remains,’ the report said.

The barrow at Hougette la Taillie is located just beyond the western limit of the runway extension, in an area that requires regrading to comply with the required airfield geometry standards.

The barrow is judged to be of medium significance, and the planners suggested this site should also have a WSI.

The planners noted that policies recommend that developments should try to preserve and enhance island archaeology, but it does not expressly forbid developments that result in the loss of archaeological sites.

‘In this case, the loss of the asset is considered unavoidable if the development is to be carried out, and the recommended condition would go as far as possible to mitigate this by providing for the excavation and preservation of any archaeological remains.’

The planners have recommend the plans be approved, but the Alderney’s Building & Development Control Committee will have the final say tomorrow.