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A former Bailiff is among the Grouville parishioners to have successfully forced a Parish Assembly meeting to discuss fields that have been controversially earmarked for housing in the next Island Plan.
The meeting on Thursday 10 March has been organised using an ancient legal mechanism called a requête, which obliges the Constable to hold an assembly if 10 parishioners call for it.
Former Bailiff, Minister and Senator, Sir Philip Bailhache, said parishioners needed to have their voices heard - particularly given that both Grouville's Deputy and Constable will be withdrawing from two debates because they have a "direct interest".
The subject will be the three-year Bridging Island Plan, due to be debated by States Members in a fortnight. When its first draft was published last April, one field in Grouville was proposed for rezoning by the Environment Minister for the building of affordable homes.
However, recent amendments have proposed another 11 fields are built on in the Parish. These have been proposed by St. Martin Deputy Steve Luce, St. Helier Deputy Scott Wickenden, and Parish Constable, John Le Maistre.
Grouville Deputy Carolyn Labey is also calling for the Environment Minister’s original proposed field to be withdrawn from rezoning.
Matters have been complicated by the fact that Deputy Labey owns a cluster of fields that have been proposed by Deputy Wickenden. A brother of Mr Le Maistre also owns one of the fields proposed by Deputy Luce.
Both Deputy Labey and Constable say they will withdraw from the States Assembly when these fields are being debated.
Environment campaigners and some residents are fighting more development in Grouville. A protest was held at the weekend against development on a field proposed by Mr Le Maistre, which is close to Grouville Marsh.
Pictured: Sir Philip Bailhache is one of the signatories of the requête.
Sir Philip Bailhache, who now leads the Jersey Liberal Conservatives party, commented: “The object of the meeting is to give Grouville parishioners the opportunity, which they would not otherwise have, to express their views on the new amendments which have sprung from nowhere proposing the development of a number of agricultural fields in Grouville.
“The Bridging Island Plan process resulted in a recommendation from the inspector, accepted by the Minister, for the release of one field for building. Now we have proposals for no fewer than 12 agricultural fields to be yielded up.
“Parish democracy requires that people should have an opportunity for their voices to be heard. If all were to be developed, there would be a material effect upon the rural nature of Grouville.
“The issues are complicated by the facts that some of the fields are owned by the Deputy of Grouville, one is owned by the Constable's brother, and one has been proposed for development by the Constable.
“Neither of Grouville’s political representatives is therefore without a direct interest in the matter. However, I am sure that those difficulties will be overcome.”
CLICK TO ENLARGE: Notice of the assembly was published on 1 March.
The requête specifically asks the Constable to relay the "strong objections" of parishioners to all proposals to develop on fields in Grouville.
It also asks him to withdraw his own amendment calling for 'Field G234' to be rezoned for housing, and gives support to Deputy Labey's amendment calling on 'Field G392A' to be pulled from the Bridging Island Plan.
The meeting will be held on Thursday at 19:30 and is open to Grouvillais on the electoral register.
Due to the large numbers expected to attend, parishioners are asked to contact the parish hall to pre-register by telephone 852225 or email parishhall@grouville.je by 15.45 on Wednesday 9 March.
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