La Grande Mare neighbours upset but resigned to nets

The erection of the poles in June last year angered dozens of neighbours, many of whom spoke out against them, and a petition was signed by well over 2,000 opponents.

Even Victoria Oliver, the president of the Development & Planning Authority, which had granted permission for the poles to go up, said at the time that they ‘look awful’ and would be ‘a blot on the landscape’ until new trees had grown around them.

She and director of planning Jim Rowles had to attend a meeting between more than 50 neighbours and the golf resort’s developers.

But 15 months on, with the netting recently put up and the trees still a long way from reaching their expected height, organised opposition to the scheme seems to have become more subdued, publicly at least.

One neighbour told the Guernsey Press there was still much unhappiness, but spoke only on condition of anonymity.

‘They look bloody awful,’ said the neighbour. ‘It is extremely upsetting what they have done to all around us and our lovely views, but there is nothing to be gained anymore. We did our best to oppose it, but nothing was achieved other than heartache.’

Some others who were vociferous about the development last year said they now did not wish to say anything about the poles or new nets. The pylons were approved without an open planning meeting, although Deputy Oliver said that even if there had been one the scheme would most likely still have been given permission because the objections raised would not have been adequate grounds to decline planning permission.

National Trust of Guernsey president Mike Brown said he remained unconvinced that trees would provide much of a long-term answer to concerns about the poles and nets.

‘I don’t think there are many indigenous trees in Guernsey that grow that tall,’ said Mr Brown.

‘But there is more to it than just the aesthetics. Are the nets going to impact birds in flight?’

And he was concerned about the drainage of the site having an effect on surrounding land.

‘People have to look at its impact on the island, not just on that particular place,’ he said.

La Grande Mare owner Stephen Lansdown, who bought the former hotel in 2019, said last year that he hoped his vision of creating a luxury golf resort and spa of the highest quality would be realised in 2025.