NEIGHBOURS of St Peter’s Technical Park – who have long complained about the lack of action on their concerns about daily nuisances from the site – are due to meet with the Health Minister this month.
Paul and Sally Wood, who live just yards away from the park, say their lives were unproblematic and peaceful for nearly three decades until the hospital’s catering facility was moved to a unit 50 yards from their back gate in 2017.
For almost eight years, the Woods have called for action from the government and the Planning Department to ensure the businesses and services operating at the facility abide by the conditions first set when the park’s development was approved in 1984.
The couple have spoken publicly about their experiences on numerous occasions over the years but say nothing has improved.
They blame stress from the ordeal for serious health issues they have both developed, including Mrs Wood’s two major heart attacks in April.
The Health Department confirmed in June that the catering facility will be staying put rather than being transferred to the new hospital at Overdale, much to the Woods’ dismay.
Deputy Tom Binet visited the catering facility, which prepares all food for the General Hospital and other healthcare sites, earlier in the summer.
The Woods this week told the JEP that the Health Minister is now set to chair a meeting with health officials on 17 September.
Mrs Wood said if all activities at the unit are eliminated, such as noise and smell, “it will go a long way to allowing us to have a more peaceful enjoyment of our home”.
“With goodwill on both sides, this can be achieved,” she added, describing the meeting as a “positive move” by Deputy Binet.
“We are grateful for his initiative in organising it and also to the JEP for highlighting our problems,” said Mrs Wood.
The couple previously told this newspaper that they were in the process of filing a formal complaint to the States Complaints Panel for how the situation has been dealt with by officials and government representatives.
