In October the Planning applications panel approved by three votes to one plans to knock down Camellia Cottage, which sits in a former quarry at Mont de Gouray, St Martin, to build the homes. The decision was made despite a number of objections and claims at the meeting from heritage groups that the scheme contravened planning policy.
Following the panel’s decision, Christopher Blackstone, who lives opposite the cottage, launched a third-party planning appeal. And in a written judgment, Advocate John Wheeler, Master of the Royal Court, a full-time judge who deals only with civil cases, concluded that the panel’s decision was unreasonable and was not consistent with the 2012 Island Plan, which sets planning policy in the Island.
He has quashed the planning permission and ordered that Environment Minister Rob Duhamel consider the application again.
