St. Martin Deputy Steve Luce had lodged two last-minute amendments to the three-year Island Plan calling for two fields each side of Sente des Fonds, a lane off Grande Route des Sablons, to be designated for parish homes.
He said he was asked by Constable John Le Maistre to put them forward, as the Constable was conflicted because one of the fields is owned by his younger brother.
However, last night, around 250 parishioners overwhelmingly rejected proposals to build on these fields, as well as others proposed in next week’s States Assembly debate on the ‘Bridging Island Plan’ (BIP).
This was at an Assembly initiated by parishioners themselves using the ancient mechanism of a requête.
Pictured: Around 250 parishioners packed into Grouville Parish Hall and Church last night.
Deputy Luce said: “It was very clear that a large number of people in Grouville turned up and gave their verdict on my amendment and others.
“It was a very well attended meeting and Grouville parishioners obviously feel very strongly about this issue, and I respect their views.
“Consequently I have decided to withdraw the two amendments and I have informed the Constable of Grouville, the Environment Minister, and the Greffier of the States, of my decision.”
Deputy Luce conceded that the fact his parish would be in the same electoral district as Grouville for June’s election had crossed his mind when reaching his decision.
However, he added: “Irrespective of that, 250 people is a very good number at any meeting and should a proposal of mine have met that clear opposition in any parish, I would have taken the same action.”
The two fields that Deputy Luce had put forward were proposed to be developed by the parish in conjunction with a third nearby field, G392A.
That field is the only one in the parish proposed for development by Environment Minister John Young and is earmarked for 28 homes.
However, Deputy Carolyn Labey has lodged an amendment seeking its withdrawal from the BIP.
The parish deputy’s amendment was widely supported by the assembly on Thursday.
St. Helier Deputy Scott Wickenden is also proposing that a cluster of fields east of Holme Grown in Grouville are developed.
A call for this amendment to be rejected was unanimously supported by the parish assembly, with the Constable saying the fields were very good agricultural land.
Express has approached Deputy Wickenden to see if he intends to withdraw his proposal in light of the assembly’s opposition.
The Bridging Island Plan debate starts on Monday and is due to last two weeks.
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