It’s time for a firmer approach to protect our agricultural land

The new owner could not understand why there was widespread opposition, including from many neighbours, to his plans to transform two fields into private stables and grazing for half a dozen horses.

Whilst I certainly do not condone abuse hurled at the contractors working on the site, they are only doing what they have been told to do, however, I must defend the right of any islander to make comment to the planners on the loss of biodiversity and valuable agricultural land.

It is a shame that the planners and the States vet did not explain to the developer how important our agricultural land is to farming and the dairy industry.

The larger of the two fields provides crops such as silage and maize which is used to feed one of our larger dairy herds through the winter. The farmer may have to import food and that comes at an added cost. And we will all end up paying for this when the price of milk has to rise to cover the extra costs.

Guernsey was warned many years ago that the increasing loss of agricultural land to ‘other uses’ such as horticulture, housing, recreation etc. (and now gardens) should be stopped.

The independent review of our dairy industry even suggested legislation to prevent any further loss.

The Island Development Plan has failed to protect our agricultural land, so perhaps it is time for a much firmer approach.

There is also much concern about the potential raising of the land by the developer. We all know that changes to land levels can have serious consequences for neighbours and the planners should be consulting with the appropriate departments about any issues such as drainage and flooding.

JANINE LE SAUVAGE

Meadow View

Les Hubits de Bas

St Martin’s