Gorey residents come out in force to oppose village plan
Friday 13th January 2012, 2:58PM GMT.
There was strong opposition to the plans at the well-attended meeting
NEARLY 200 disgruntled residents turned out at Gorey Youth Club last night in protest against Dandara’s plans to build four-bedroom town houses in the middle of their village.
But the developer chose not to send a representative to the public meeting, despite being invited by organiser Deputy Carolyn Labey.
Instead, Dandara are holding an open day next week to explain their proposals.
The Grouville Deputy said that she was stunned by the turnout – having expected no more than 20 people – and claimed that it was evidence of the strong feeling in the parish against the proposed development of the old Jersey Pottery site.
Several parishioners voiced their objections to the plans – which include 37 four-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom houses – and a show of hands revealed that not one person in the room liked them.
However, there was near unanimous approval for blueprints by a different architect from plans submitted in 2010, which Deputy Labey said were more sympathetic to the area.
Saturday 26 May
- Senator charged with grave assault
- J2: Your guide to what's on, including Jubilee Diary
- Queen's Jubilee: Win one of 60 diamonds
- Free cup of coffee for every reader
- More medals at Jeux des Iles
- Win tickets to family teddy concert
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
all 200 must write to planning as individuals.
as deputy laby has called the meeting,it may be deemed to be politicaly lead.
Report abuse
NIMBYs. We are all having to make sacrifices for the population growth.
Report abuse
it’s not as if these people are overlooking national trust land! the site is/was a mecca for tourists and plump in the middle of an existing housing estate so the development is hardly sacrilegious even by Jersey’s standards.
Report abuse
Sally
It may not be national trust land but Gorey village Main road has a row of listed fishermen’s cottages and is one of the prettiest village streets in the Island which desperately needs protecting and safeguarding for future generations to have a sense of our Island heritage. It is a sight of special interest and should not be dwarfed by these unsympathetic townhouses – Dandara’s response yesterday at their open day was that other parts of the village have already been spoilt so we can’t stop them ruining what is still left. This is an Island issue not just a Gorey one – I care just as much about Plemont and Portelet as the East of the Island. This shouldn’t just be left to the people of Gorey to fight on their own!
Report abuse
plenty of EMPTY flats built by dandara on this island. perhaps the population growth could try filling those first?
Report abuse
Sally, just wondering what sacrifices you have made so far for population growth or what you are prepared to sacrifice? Are you telling me that you would quietly stand by clutching your Dandara prospectus to your chest with a tear in your eye while a development that may knock value off your property and effect your quality of life goes on! I would very much doubt it. there is a big difference between a commercial venture that shuts down at night and is serviced largely by coaches in peak periods to a large housing development open 24/7 with all associated disturbances.
It is easy to have this “take a hit for the Island” attitude when it’s not in your backyard! I would quite happily be classed as a “nimby” if I lived close by, you have to fight hard in this Island to retain anything like a decent quality of life.
Report abuse
I think Sally’s contribution is either made in jest or she isn’t very bright.
We don’t want nor need “population growth”. If it be forced upon us, I don’t see why I or any other local person should be expected to amke any sacrifices whatsoever.
Report abuse
You always get these “holier than thou” people coming out of the woodwork. the lack of backbone to stand up to the ruination of Jersey is clothed in sanctimious liberalism to make the weak ones like Sally feel better.
Report abuse
Town houses Yeah….? so put them in town….Dandara as a company have comprehensively demonstrated their indifference to the environment ,Jersey’s unique coastal and countryside…Portelet can never recover from the hideous mistake there….again a cityscape right in a sensitive coastal site….it is high time they were seriously kerbed as profit not taste is their main driver….and we all suffer the fallout of it….ridiculous.
Report abuse
zoro,
grow a brain. the fault clearly lies with planning on these issues. using your analysis there would/should be no Gorey village?
Report abuse
Surely a Village Park (rather like St. Helier’s Town Park) should be considered. A park in Gorey is needed as much as one was needed in St. Helier.
Report abuse
How much more ‘park’ do you need in Gorey?
Apart from the common there’s a bl**dy great golf course just down the road where any one can go walkies. I almost forgot the beach as well. And the gardens and the Castle Green.
Report abuse
C. Le V
I did have my Tongue firmly in my cheek when I made my comment.
Report abuse
I’m posting in relation to the article explaining the proposal to teach prisoners to grow their own vegetables. funny that there is no ability to post in relation to that article. only in jersey.
Report abuse
There can be no sprout that the prisoners will benefit.
But why no ability to carrot on the issue?
It’s a turnip for the books when you can’t encourage the inmates. Lettuce not forget that such graft will keep them on their potatoes. It’s a butternut squash in the cells- at least this allows some experience of the wind’s cool calabrese and encourages hard graft and making the most of one’s thyme while one is enclosed within the pomegranate walls.
Report abuse
Sam grow a brain. the fault clearly lies with vegetable growing on these issues. using your analysis there would/should be no Gorey village?
Report abuse
Well it would be headline news if Gorey residents welcomed the development, presumably they have no objection to their housing having been built.
I’m fine bugger the rest appears to be the prevailent view. The NIMBY epidemic has spread island wide, the thing is everyone wants housing for their kids, just not in Jersey it would seem.
Report abuse
Sorry, how are you fine again?
Report abuse
agreed nimby – seems like an area ripe for development in my view.
Report abuse
So will these ‘kids’ be able to afford a mortgage on a £1.5 million house that these undoubtedly will be, as this seems to be the new norm.
Report abuse
Can anyone tell us more about the alternative plans?
Report abuse
Helier Clement’s favourite term springs to mind.
200 of them, no less!
Report abuse
If some of the previous posters would bother to read the article they would know that it’s not development the residents are against, It’s Dandaras over development of the site, there is already planning consent for the site. but maybe the Island does need more expensive 3 & 4 bedroom houses with tiny gardens which tower over all the existing properties around the site.
Report abuse
Dandara will be available to speak to local residents between 10am and 5pm next Friday. Does anyone else think its a little suspicious that they are only available while most residents will be at work and therefore unable to attend, Dandara can then say that no one came to raise concerns at their meeting. Come on Dandara, make yourselves available to those who work full time!
Report abuse
correct , most are at work.
you can hear it now can’t you .
“we offered open consultation , but no one came forword “
Report abuse
Hey Dandara, looks like everyone in the Island is fed up of your “squeeze every last penny out of it” developments! You’ve made enough out of this little Island so far I am sure, so how about showing some goodwill to the rock. Build affordable, decent quality housing for Jersey’s families that are at least 2m apart from one another and have a garden bigger than a dining table on this site. It may change everyones opinion of you!
No……… It thought not.
Report abuse
Zorro #4
Suggest you go & look at Dairy site at Five Oaks “Belvedere”,as a neighbour to this development am pleased with how it is looking & far better than the Dairy.
Apart from a couple of hiccups the developers have adhered to all we asked for so far anyhow!!
Report abuse
Well said LPF nad House Mc. How can Dandara afford to develop yet another site when so many of their flats/houses are still empty, and so expensive! Trying to squeeze as many ill planned houses into the minimum space to maximise profits. Maybe if you built houses more suitable to todays family your developments will sell and the Jersey public would be more supportive of your projects.
Report abuse
Maybe if they built the Goose green pumping station as they are obliged to do, and spend the million or so needed to reduce the risk of flooding to local residents, their pockets might not be so full?
Report abuse
I suggest that the issue of over development is two fold in that it affects both what is there already, plus the lives of the new owners. As regards to impact, quite apart from those already expressed in relation to the current residents of the area, there is increased pressure on services such as water and sewerage,and traffic and parking. However probably the largest factor will be the provision of suitable nursery and schooling facilities. As to the potential new residents, survey after survey has shown that people need space and cannot just be crammed one on top of another both in terms of actual house size as well as the density of housing. Gorey residents are quite right to express their concern at the proposed plans. The great difficulty over here is that we have seen this all before. Large developer submits clearly unsuitable plans to ensure that when numbers are reduced there are still sufficient to make an enormous profit. If you travel round the island and look at many of the developments of recent years the striking factor is too many too close. The problems of this over density are not initially realised because usually young families move in. Its only when the youngsters reach their teenage years that the lack of space really kicks in. I say resist the proposals and keep resisting until there are more suitable plans.
Report abuse
Well said thinker, I would hazard a guess that Jersey is storing up a lot of social problems for years to come by the relentless push of developers maximizing profits. It would be interesting to see how many apartments have been bought by Island residents compared to investment companies buying up Jersey property then renting out? Who are the developers really building for at the end of the day??? Why doesn’t planning grow a backbone and enforce estates that have houses that people actualy want to live in, not forced to live in through having no other affordable alternative!
Report abuse
I live nearby, I know the site will be developed and I accept this. What I object to is the new plans submitted that are not suited to the area. 3 storey town houses (4 storey when you add a roof) do not fit in with the village! Also who will buy these houses? You need an income of about £100,000 PA to be able to get a mortgage for a standard 3 bed house so how many will be able to afford these “luxury” boxes. There are enough empty Dandara properties in this island, we don’t need more. Let’s build sensible homes that people can afford and want to live in.
Report abuse
I know of a small development of 6 houses which are three storey and they are all owned and occupied by single people.The fact is they are not suitable for families.My daughter and her husband bought such a house as their first buy but when their second child arrived they realised that it was becoming more impractical and they sold it and moved on.A single man bought it!They are also not suitable for older people due to all the stairs.I imagine the term “town” house was originally meant to mean houses in town where space is tight and certainly not in a village environment?But then if the developer is trying to cram 3 times more houses in to the space I suppose this is what you get.
Report abuse
I agree,someone needs to draw up plans for affordable houses with gardens big enough to grow things in and enough parking, not too close together and no higher than other houses in that area. Then I don’t think most residents there would object. I’m sure such homes would be snapped up, the developer would still make money on it, the area would still be desirable and everyone gains.
Report abuse
I am afraid that the developer will have paid a high price for this land, on the basis of building x homes priced at a guess at at least £800k plus. That is what we see for sale.
If houses are bigger have a big garden, etc they will be more expensive, because of the land price.
What is an ‘affordable’ home price in Jersey?
Report abuse
Agree. I live in a village and the house we bought when we moved here was about 10 years old and we were told that when permission was sought for the small development there was uproar because the developer wanted to build twice as many houses.This was refused.The outcome was less houses all detached with double garages,none overlooking another as built at angles,all with large gardens and minimum of 3 double bedrooms,also dining room and conservatory.Perhaps Dandara need to be taught that people don’t want to live like battery hens and that their reputation may slightly improve if they build attractive,spacious family homes which sadly will bring them smaller profits but may be bought up quicker.
Report abuse
The whole concept of building another estate in Gorey will only bring pressure on the local habitat which is only just hanging on in that area, extra families bring domestic pets ( cats in particular) the wild life will be decimated by these furry killers. Yes Gorey businesses will benefit, but animal life in the marsh lands will suffer.
Report abuse
I am no big lover of any Dandara project but does a public meeting called by the Assistant Planning Minister against the proposed development not classed as a conflict of interest. Is it okay for the deputy to then be involved in any planning permission so long as its not in gorey
Report abuse
I attended the Gorey meeting and the Deputy made clear at the start she is a half assistant minister on Economic Development and half on Environment with responsibility for Rural Affairs which is split between both departments. Her remit goes no where near South Hill. There is an independent Planning Panel with the Minister there for appeals or large contentious applications. So no conflict at all John. I say good on the Deputy for organising the meeting and representing her constituents so well. Many of us had no idea there had been new plans submitted-and what horrors they are.
Report abuse
Referring to Nimby,s comment
Housing for your kids, is that what was built at Portlet, or will the flats at the harbour be affordable to them?.Where were you when the plans went in for those. It is not more housing we need on this over crowded Island but less people, and less cars more, open spaces to enjoy what was once a jewel of an Island, it is just a money grabbing rock at the moment, ok if you have a few pennies in your pocket and are only passing through, as most of these money grabbing people are.
Report abuse
load the saddle bags and leave town with guns blazing comes to mind, jersey girl.
Report abuse
dandaras project at bel royal of 102 houses is a great village gardens bus stop nursery landscapeing best i have seen in the trade for a long time these people are on the lines of im alright jack not in my back yard
Report abuse
Have you had a look at the plans?
They are not suitable for the area, the site can hold a lot of houses with the right design.
If people really think the Island needs more overpriced houses why aren’t Dandara building the rest of the 80 odd house at Five Oaks.
Report abuse