DELAYS in the planning process are ‘crippling’ two St Ouen cider-makers who are currently starring in a national television series.
Sarah Matlock, who runs La Petite Robeline with her husband, Richard, has been featured heavily as part of Jersey & Guernsey, a UK-produced TV show on Channel 5 narrated by Alan Titchmarsh. About 1.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the first episode of the series.
Having appeared in the opening show, the Matlocks also feature in the last instalment, which was broadcast yesterday evening.
The couple are engaged in a protracted planning process in an attempt to open a seasonal restaurant at their farmstead overlooking L’Etacq.
They are currently awaiting for the decision of an independent planning inspector who last month heard an appeal against planning permission, obtained in March, to open a restaurant off Rue des Bonne femmes from 1 April to 30 September on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The restaurant’s opening is dependent on the outcome of the appeal, which was lodged by a neighbour, who raised concerns about the detail of the application, particularly in relation to parking, noise and light pollution, and the provision for sewage and wastewater.
While not critical of the process, and conscious that the arguments for and against the restaurant were aired at the recent appeal hearing, Mrs Matlock said that with every week that passed the restaurant’s potential opening this season was being eroded.
She said: ‘After the appeal hearing we were told that the inspector’s report would take a couple of weeks.
‘I understand that the Environment Minister [Jonathan Renouf] has said he will deal with the inspector’s report speedily as soon as it arrives.
‘It’s now been a month.
‘With every week which goes by, we cannot open and we are losing money.
‘It is crippling us and affecting our health. We need a decision as quickly as we can.’
Deputy Renouf – who will make the final decision about whether to uphold or reject the appeal once he has received the inspector’s report and recommendation – said he was still waiting for it to arrive.
Mrs Matlock said: ‘We are receiving daily telephone calls, messages and emails from people asking if there is any news.
‘Everywhere we go, we are getting so much support from the public, particularly after the Channel 5 programme went out on 15 June, and we featured again yesterday.
‘It is also our photo which is being used every time the local press writes an article about the positive effect the programme has had on the Island’s tourism sector.
‘But every week that goes by is another nail in the coffin for La Robeline Cider and for Richard and me. The stress is unrelenting.’
