THE owners of the Jersey Oyster Company have warned that they could go out of business if they do not get the go-ahead for new premises in the next few months.

Steve Luce and Chris Le Masurier have been trying to gain permission for a £1.5 million purpose-built development closer to their Grouville Bay oyster beds, near La Rocque Chapel, for the past 18 months, but planning permission has still not been granted.

Mr Luce said that if they do not start their relocation programme by the summer, they will be in trouble. They have to be out of their current premises close to St Catherine by 2010. ‘It is possible that we could stop trading,’ he said. ‘It takes two years to grow oysters, but some people could say we are crazy to put down seeds this year if we have no producing facilities for them in two years’ time. But if we stop importing seeds now, we are really committing ourselves to packing up when really we have to hope for the best.’

The company’s first planning application, which would have been 200 yards from the beach in Grouville, was turned down after residents protested, and their latest revised planning application has still not been agreed by the Planning Minister Freddie Cohen.

• Picture: At present the oyster beds in Grouville Bay face an uncertain future