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Plans for a small-scale farm with polytunnels in a St Martin’s field – which aims to provide local food businesses with produce – have faced opposition due to its potential impact on the surrounding rural landscape.
The applicant, Frank Deeney, wants to start a business selling produce to local businesses from his planned smallholding in a field by La Rue des Alleurs.
He has submitted plans for four 'temporary' polytunnels covering 252 sqm to grow produce for the fruit and vegetable outlet.
A supporting statement to the planning application says: "A year has been spent contacting various people on the possibility of renting out or purchasing unused small polytunnels locally but to no avail."
Pictured: The planning application includes creating four new polytunnels to expand growing capacity for salad crops.
Mr Deeney, who has a background in building and recently acquired smallholder status, explained his desire to run a business selling local produce.
"There are quite a few established suppliers, but many of them have to import their produce," he said.
If plans are approved, the business would be managed by Frank and Jan Deeney who will also employ one full-time worker.
This revised proposal from 2022 has scaled back earlier ambitions, removing elements like bee hives and chicken coops.
Residents, however, have raised concerns about the potential for traffic congestion and the negative effect of the development on the surrounding rural environment.
Pictured: The south boundary of the site looking west. (Surface Ltd)
The field is designated as a 'Site of Special Interest' and part of a proposed coastal national park, with islanders suggesting the proposal will impact panoramic views of the surrounding fields.
In the public comment section of the planning application, Florence Busel said that the polytunnels would look "messy, unsightly and ugly”, while Christian Busel lamented the potential loss of "unbroken views of rolling green fields".
Kingsley Cox wrote: “The erection of four huge polytunnels will completely change the character of the quintessential Jersey rural view that can be seen along La Rue des Alleurs in St Martin, a view that was chosen for the Queen during her Jubilee visit and is enjoyed by thousands of people, walking groups and tourists, throughout the year.”
Pictured: The proposed site plan.
Concerns have also been raised about potential traffic congestion because of the site's location.
The field is only accessible via La Rue des Alleurs – a narrow road that already struggles with two-way traffic – and is close to a blind corner and a T-junction at La Rue Du Moulin which poses safety risks for pedestrians and parked vehicles.
There is also scepticism about the project's viability, with Tim Cox noting the number of "defunct polytunnels" across the island already.
Others worry that approval might set a precedent for further development leading to a loss of green spaces in the parish.
To read the application in full, click HERE.
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