However, the 130 parishioners and politicians who attended the meeting gave their unanimous support to the endeavours of the Jersey Oyster Company.
Following what the Constable, Dan Murphy, described as a good-natured and very interesting meeting, Mr Murphy and Deputies Carolyn Labey and Terry Le Main offered to work with Planning and the company to find the right place for the processing plant and staff accommodation.
The company was represented by Steve Luce and Chris Le Masurier, who outlined their proposals and the need to bring to one location facilities which currently occupy four sites.
They are seeking in-principle consent for a 2,200 square metre processing plant and 12 units of staff accommodation in a two-storey 3,000 square metre block.
Residents’ spokesman Bruce Ferguson said that the proposed development in Field 571, Rue du Puits Mahaut, was inappropriate and unsympathetic to the surrounding area.
‘We certainly support the diversification of agriculture and sustainable growth of the rural economy, however, we believe that the proposed development flies in the face of government policies and its objectives for the countryside,’ he said.
