The Environment Minister has acknowledged the “disruption, distress, and feeling of being unheard” experienced by residents living close to the Northern Leaf medicinal cannabis farm.
Deputy Steve Luce gave a statement to the States Assembly today in the wake of criticism of his department by the States Complaints Board over its handling of the facility in St Lawrence, and a subsequent Planning Committee decision to refuse a retrospective planning application.
The Minister admitted that residents living near the Northern Leaf site at Retreat Farm had genuine concerns, but stated repeatedly that the issue of odour came with a high bar.
He confirmed that, as things stood, the matter had been investigated and was now closed.
Deputy Luce said: “I recognise the impact this situation has had on [residents’] lives, the disruption, the distress, and the feeling of being unheard – these are not just complaints, they are heartfelt expressions from people who care deeply about their homes and their community.
“I want to thank those who came forward – speaking up is never easy.”
He said that the site had been the subject of extensive scrutiny, including “a detailed odour assessment involving multiple practitioners”. The “mere presence” of odour did not mean the threshold for statutory nuisance had been met, he added.
While his department rejected the Complaints Board finding around odour, the Minister said three other recommendations were accepted: to publish a redaction policy on planning representations; to ensure conflict of interest declarations are embedded in customer policy; and to ensure business interests are not prioritised over impact on neighbours.
Deputy Luce urged residents to take the opportunity to participate in mediation sessions with Northern Leaf, stating that he believed the company was “receptive” to finding a way of moving forward with neighbours and achieving an outcome with which everyone was satisfied.
I didn’t ‘sniff’ this odour, I breathed it in and it was so strong that I could not step out of the car without the stench overwhelming me and I did feel sick
Constable Deidre Mezbourian
Constable Deidre Mezbourian spoke on behalf of her parishioners in St Lawrence about the strength of the odour that she had experienced as recently as last week.
“I didn’t ‘sniff’ this odour, I breathed it in and it was so strong that I could not step out of the car without the stench overwhelming me and I did feel sick,” she said.
Responding to Constable Mezbourian’s query about what it would take for the issue of odour to be re-opened, Deputy Luce said this would require a “significant change” to “material considerations”.
Deputy Andy Howell, who represents the St John, St Lawrence and Trinity electoral district, highlighted the enforcement notice regarding chillers used by Northern Leaf, and the retrospective application turned down by the Planning Committee last week. This equipment had been in place, illegally, for four years, she pointed out.
Deputy Luce said the Committee’s decision would need to be ratified at the next meeting on 25 September, with the possibility of appeals by other side following this meeting.
Deputy Howell said: “This is making a mockery of the whole thing, it’s been going on for such a long time – an enforcement notice should be enforced.”