PLANS to build four houses on a coastal site in Grouville have been turned down by the Planning Committee.
Politicians voted by six to one to go against a planning officer’s recommendation for the approval of the scheme at La Mielle du Parcq.
The application would have involved the demolition of an existing five-bedroom property and the construction of one three-bedroom and three four-bedroom houses.
The application received 21 letters of objection.
The scheme was described by architect Marc Borrowman as “an exemplar of what carefully considered sustainable architecture looks like”.
Recommending the scheme for approval, planning officer Barry James said it had “the potential to contribute positively to the character and appearance of the area” and was within the policies of the Bridging Island Plan.
However residents cited concerns about insufficient parking spaces, noise and access to the site via a narrow lane.
And several members of the committee were concerned about the demolition of the existing house which, while it was not listed, was described as “beautiful” by vice-chair Deputy Alex Curtis, with concern that there was only a “weak case” for demolition that might create a precedent for the loss of other properties.
Constable Richard Honeycombe referred to “an immense impact on neighbouring amenities”.
Others voting to refuse planning permission were Constables Philip Le Sueur, Marcus Troy and Kevin Lewis, plus Deputy Tom Coles, while Deputy Steve Ahier was the lone voice in favour of the scheme.
