The Planning Applications Committee will discuss a number of applications, including the Rice family’s request to build in the Coastal National Park on the site of their ancestors’ former home, which was used as a training centre for German soldiers in the Occupation.
Surveyor Joe Carney is also due to find out whether his ‘data hotels’ – top-tier digital storage facilities planned for green-zone land in the Fencing Centre, in St Lawrence – will receive outline planning permission.
While Planning officers have recommended that his plans should be given the go-ahead, they have said that the Rice family’s application should be turned down.
- After returning to Jersey following the Second World War, the Rice family found their home farm at Egypt had been destroyed following years of use as a military training site.
- Their second home, Blanchard House in St Peter, had also been commandeered by German forces, but was in a better condition.
- On relocating to the west of the Island the Rices found that The Underground Hospital now Jersey War Tunnels had been built in their back garden, furniture and two cars had been stolen, four horses had been killed and the homes interior subject to significant damage.
- The family were offered £2,000 for reconstructing their Trinity home, which amounted to around a seventh of the expected bill. The work was not carried out so the compensation was never awarded.
- The family then decided to move to South Africa to start a new business in order to raise money to rebuild their Trinity home.
The Rices have proposed building a three-bedroom home and a garage at Egypt Farm, off Rue d’Egypte, Trinity, on the ruins of their ancestors’ home, which was vacated before the Occupation.
Farmhouses in the area were used by German forces from 1943 to train troops in house-to-house fighting, but now all that is left at the site are a few leaf-covered walls.
However, the Planning Department’s report said that the plans should be refused because there was a strong presumption against building in the Coastal National Park, the ruins had become part of the landscape, a new building would harm the character of the area and not enough information had been given about the applicant’s landscaping plans.
The report also said that Egypt Farm was not listed as a site of special interest and therefore did not merit restoration or rebuilding.
‘While there is sympathy for the applicants’ case, it is important to note that this proposal is for a substantial scheme in a highly sensitive area,’ the report said.
‘The department does not consider there to be any mitigating circumstances to justify a departure from policy.’
Outline plans for Mr Carney’s proposed data centre off Rue de la Scelletterie, St Lawrence, did receive backing from Planning.
A report about the project said: ‘It is considered that the overall impact of the development would give rise to demonstrable environmental gains, contributing to the repair and restoration of landscape character, and would improve the appearance of the buildings and site in general.
‘The proposed data centre would help support new and existing businesses and help to diversify the economy.’
The plans are due to be discussed at a public meeting from 9.30 am tomorrow at the St Paul’s Centre.
