Vale officials concerned by plans for sea defences
VALE parish officials have expressed concerns about how they see flood defences for the Bridge and surrounding areas being progressed by the States.
The parish has made the comments in its response to the wide-ranging draft Harbour Action Areas plan, published by the Development & Planning Authority last month, which covers St Sampson’s and St Peter Port harbours.
Vale has concentrated its focus on the northern port, though it also tells the States that while it would like to see a new harbour at Longue Hougue South, it believes it will never happen due to the cost involved.
On the Bridge, the parish douzaine said that it noted that the plans appeared to be in conflict with the flood defence scheme being championed by the Environment & Infrastructure Committee, a barrier along the centre of the Bridge with moveable barriers at each end, which it does not support.
Senior constable Richard Leale said that the E&I scheme relied on buildings on both the north and south sides to retain the water overtopping the harbour, and that the committee will not support raising the wall at the harbour’s edge due to concerns about its foundations.
Vale favours a scheme focused on the mouth of the harbour which is mentioned several times in the report, but was surprised to see that a new sea wall appears to be favoured for the entire area, to protect large areas inland.
Overall the parish believed that more could have been done with the plans, which includes 18 policies on issues including transport and parking, flood risks, and creating an environment that is more people-friendly.
‘It is a pity that the action area does not cover the whole of Leale’s Yard and only a portion of the Northside, excluding all of the power station site, along with Ronez’s block yard. It is a missed opportunity to have not included the Longue Hougue quarry, as it is right in the centre of the industrial area,’ said Mr Leale.
Vale would be keen to see the power station relocated to Longue Hougue, but accepted that costs would be ‘enormous’, and the douzaine is relieved to see that there appears to be no intention to reclaim land directly in front of the Vale Castle.
The Guernsey Press has contacted St Peter Port and St Sampson’s parishes to see if they have submitted comments to the consultation, but have not had a response.
