- Mary Herold has twice won appeals against plans for luxuy flats in Grouville
- But the 87-year-old is facing a challenge from Environment Minister Steve Luce, who wants the decision overturned
- Now Deputy Carolyn Labey will be lodging proposition against Deputy Luce’s challenge
- Should Deputy Luce drop his appeal? Take part in our poll below
A STATES backbencher is due to lodge a proposition calling for the Environment Minister to drop his challenge of a grandmother’s successful Royal Court appeal against a series of luxury flats.
Grouville Deputy Carolyn Labey says she believes Deputy Steve Luce’s attempt to overturn the court’s decision is ‘misguided’ and is now also in the process of setting up a petition to rally support from Islanders.
Earlier this week Deputy Luce announced that he would be challenging 87-year-old Mary Herold’s appeal against a 17-home development proposed for land off Route des Sablons in Grouville.
The pensioner has previously lodged two successful appeals against the scheme, arguing that Sea View Investment Ltd’s plans had not taken her listed property – Seymour Cottage – into consideration. But Deputy Luce said that he needs to challenge the court’s decision in order to protect the Island Plan, which sets planning policy.
Last week he said that if the decision was allowed to stand it could make future development near other listed properties difficult, something which he said was never envisaged by the Plan.
In order for Deputy Labey’s proposition to make it on to a States agenda before the summer break it needs to be accompanied by a petition.
The Grouville politician, a long-time supporter of Mrs Herold, said: ‘Personally I think it is very misguided to launch an appeal against a decision that has now been fought in the Royal Court twice.
‘Also, it has got to be remembered that if the Environment Minister is successful then the developers get the automatic right to build their 17 luxury apartments on this site.’
Deputy Labey added that she believed Deputy Luce should instead bring an amendment to the Island Plan to the States if he thought it needed changing.
However, he has ruled out the move, saying that reworking even a small part of the document could take as long as 18 months.
Deputy Labey’s petition is due to be available at Grouville Parish Hall, The Fresh Fish Company at La Collette, Rosedale Stores in Gorey Village, Holme Grown in Grouville and Avenue Fashions at Red Houses in the coming days.
When Deputy Luce became planning minister he was pictured on a balcony over town saying how he would be taking a stand AGAINST over development out of town…
Robert
As for this latest manoeuvre, I hope he does go to court – and loses. His excuse is that in future this judgement would make it more difficult to develop next to listed buildings. And rightly so! Have you seen the plans for this development, right next to an ancient Martello tower? If not, go to South Hill Department and take a look. It’s another huge glass box. Fits in nicely with its surrounds – I don’t think. Whatever happened to the planning policy that development must be in keeping with its surroundings, Deputy?
Colonel
An absolutely textbook example of the old saying: ‘There are two groups who laugh at the law,. Those who break it, and those who make it’. What is the Deputy’s plan? I am inclined to consider that there might be the idea that Ms Herold may be driven into an early grave, and before the Deputy freaks out! I point out that this is my opinion, should his actions cause me to change it. I will of course say so.
Tony B
Deputy Luce is obviously one who patently does not comprehend the need to protect historic buildings and their environment, but as Environment and Planning minister, he should be more au fait. The Island Plan was designed to protect our historic environment, but the said Deputy Steve Luce seems determined to attempt to overturn the Royal Court’s decision and harass Mary Herold. That is wrong.
Realist
This lady has my sympathy – twice she’s beaten planning over this site. The planning laws or Island plan are not worth the paper they are written on.
AJ
If Deputy Luce loses his appeal he should be made to pay the costs of it out of his own pocket, then resign as it shows he has no idea how we want Jersey to look. He wanted a massive building down the Waterfront area like the London Shard.
Mr Sensible
