PLANS to develop a multi-million-pound “agricultural enterprise” in Trinity have been turned down.
The Planning Committee yesterday refused plans to construct what was intended to be a centre for agricultural innovation, training, and research on the surrounding fields of Augrès House.
Richard Griffiths, the owner of the property, had pledged £5 million of his own money to build on land near his home for the purpose of developing the local rural economy.
The development, named The Grove, would have included a training and education centre with offices, visitor accommodation, staff housing, and a vineyard.
The scheme resurrected a project that was first proposed last year and had received support from the Jersey Farmers Union and the government’s Economy Department.
However, the application was recommended for refusal by independent planning officer Wendy Johnston for its lack of correlation with the Island Plan and vague business model.
At yesterday’s committee meeting, four neighbours of Augrès House also spoke in opposition to the plans due to scale and disturbance, while two individuals shared their support for its core principles, including Jersey Farmers Union president Douglas Richardson.
The Grove would have been entirely privately funded by Mr Griffiths, who also pledged that a £250,000 ‘Future Farming Fund’ would be set up if plans were approved, for local farming and community projects.
Three committee members voted to reject the plans: vice-chair Alex Curtis, Deputy Tom Coles, and Constable Mark Labey. Constable Marcus Troy, meanwhile, supported the project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, several panel members encouraged Mr Griffiths to return to the committee with revised plans more aligned with the principles of the Island Plan, which they have to measure against all applications.
They suggested that he bring forward more of a phased approach and look at other potential locations for investment for the same purpose, including the nearby Philip Mourant agricultural training centre, which closed due to lack of demand.
During the same meeting yesterday, the Planning Committee also rejected a controversial application to build an apartment complex on the former site of Cleveland Garage.
The 29-apartment development was recommended had been recommended for approval by planning officer Sarah Jones, who said that it made sustainable and efficient use of brownfield land, offered high-quality homes, and provided public realm and community benefits through play, cycle and mobility contributions.
She also said that the resubmitted application resolved previous design concerns raised following the rejection of the previous 32-apartment scheme last year.
Both versions of the development attracted opposition from neighbours – including concerns about the lack of parking in the area, loss of privacy, disruption from noise and traffic, and fears that the scale and design would be out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood.
But the planning officer recommended the development be approved subject to planning obligations including £56,300 of enhancements to the eastern cycle route, £27,000 spent on off-site children’s play space, and a £7,500 financial contribution to ensure residents of the development receive subsidised access to an electric car-share scheme.
But the Planning Committee ultimately voted to reject the application.