PARISH Deputy Carolyn Labey has joined the fight to save Grouville Common from development.

She says that the common should remain open land for the people of the Island.

And Deputy Labey, who formally joined the campaign against the proposed Jersey Pottery restaurant on Gorey beachfront today, says that the Chefs Tenants who approved the plans have failed the parish by supporting the development.

Meanwhile, Gorey Village residents have set up a petition against the development.

They say that it has already been signed by hundreds of parishioners, and will be presented to the Planning department before the consultation period ends.

In a letter to the editor published on page 15 today, Deputy Labey says that she is doing what she believes is right in opposing the restaurant, which has already provoked a furious response from many of her parishioners.

She said that the Chefs Tenants, who have run the common since medieval times, should remember that they are looking after the land on behalf of the Crown.

‘Generations of tenants have enjoyed certain privileges and rights in respect of the common, but with these rights come great responsibilities.

In truth, Gorey Common is held in stewardship not just for the tenants of Grouville but nowadays for the Island as a whole,’ she says.