Hands off last wild bit of Town

He was explaining how the proposals being put forward by his group would ‘revitalise the under-used part of Town’. He is quoted as saying: ‘Rather than being a dead-end car park, which relatively few people visit, La Vallette would become a destination for everyone to enjoy.’

Oh dear, yet another in the long line of people coming forward with their ideas on how to develop the area and, like all the others, it appears that Mr Langlois has not visited the area very often.

As an all-year-round swimmer I am well aware how much this area is used. Not just by swimmers, but by dog walkers, cliff walkers, joggers, visitors, children, families, nature lovers, bird watchers, visitors to the Aquarium and coach-loads in summer to visit the underground tunnels at the Occupation museum, or just to sit and have a coffee at the Island View Kiosk and enjoy the view. And Le Petit Train now visits, carrying many cruise ship passengers and other visitors, who often make their way back to visit the attractions and even have a swim with us.

No, it is a much used and enjoyed part of Town. The last remaining wild bit – and I wish you would all leave it to be the peaceful, charming area that it is.

It is a great shame that the pleasant walk along the foot of the cliff face had to be fenced off with rock-catching wire mesh, but that was done to satisfy health and safety. It spoilt the look of the area from the Aquarium to the Museum, but trees have been planted and it will be screened in time.

We certainly do not need a ‘spectacular’ restaurant where the present kiosk is. I remember the Lousiana being built facing Havelet Bay with spectacular views across to the castle. Now look at what has happened to it. Gone to offices.

What is needed is a nice upgraded kiosk, able to provide a variety of food, ice creams and drinks, especially when the pools and little beach are heaving with children and families in the summer, and to not have a lease that restricts what can be cooked.

I think it’s a disgrace that this States is seemingly trying to give away public land to private developers. This land and the other areas being looked at in Town belong to the people of Guernsey, so, hands off.

I read the book, A History of Guernsey, several years ago and I recall that, apart from the fact that the whole of La Vallette is of huge historical interest, there is a covenant attached to the area placed there by the British Government on behalf of the Army. This says that the road shall never be ‘gated’ or the land built on. The Army retains the right to march troops up and down the road at all times.

There are plenty of ‘brownfield’ sites for developers to build their boutique hotels and spectacular restaurants without homing in on previously undeveloped land. Idlerocks Hotel site, Bon Port Hotel, St Martin’s Hotel and now, sadly, the restaurant at Jerbourg, to name but a few.

The car parking arrangements down at the far end of La Vallette are designed to allow people to enjoy the area, but not park all day. There are two-hour spaces from the kiosk to the Aquarium and the 10-hour spaces from the kiosk to the ‘cutting’ change to two-hour spaces throughout the summer months to allow for all the extra visitors as well as locals to enjoy the area too.

Where did this idea of developing publicly-owned land originate? The lead civil servant was a senior planning officer, perhaps he still is?

All the work being undertaken will not be cheap and is not good use of taxpayers’ money, in my opinion.

There are far more important items to be addressed before this States starts trying to change things that are not broken.

JANINE LE SAUVAGE,

Meadow view,

Les Hubits de Bas,

St Martin’s,

GY4 6NB.