Grouville fields row: Deputy owns them...but doesn't see them as hers

Thursday 03 March 2022

The Deputy for Grouville has confirmed that she is the legal owner of fields being proposed for affordable homes in the Parish - but says she has never actually considered them to be hers.

Deputy Carolyn Labey had earlier said that three fields in the Parish, which Deputy Scott Wickenden has put forward for development in an amendment to the Bridging Island Plan, belonged to a family member. But she has now clarified that position and updated her official declaration of interests.

It now states that Deputy Labey is the ‘reversionary owner’ of fields G403C, G403D and G432A, which Deputy Wickenden said he had proposed on behalf of the owner.

‘Reversionary’ means legal owner, although someone else – the ‘usufruct’, in legal language - has lifetime enjoyment of the land.

Building on fields in the Parish has become a significant local issue in the run up to a debate in the States Assembly to approve the Bridging Island Plan – which defines the policies against which all planning decisions will be judged for the next three years.

The original draft of the plan, proposed by the Environment Minister last April, earmarked one field in Grouville, identified by its official designation G329A, for up to 26 affordable homes.

Pictured: An image of field G329A taken last May included in Deputy Labey's amendment seeking to withdraw it from the Bridging Island Plan.

However, subsequent amendments by politicians, including Deputy Wickenden’s, has increased the potential number to 12 fields, if all are approved.

Deputy Labey, however, has proposed that G329A is removed from the plan, which will be debated over two weeks from 14 March.

Concerning fields G403C, G403D and G432A, the Deputy said: “I have never regarded myself as the owner of the fields as a family member is the usufructuary owner and has always administered the fields as they think fit.

"This would include receiving any income derived from them and paying for their up-keep, rates and other expenses. I have had no involvement in that."

She added: “As part of a farming family, I inherited the reversionary ownership of some fields when my father died, over 50 years ago when I was 11, though I have never benefited from any income from them, indeed I may never benefit from them should the usufructuary owner out-live me. 

“I have always tried to ensure that I represent the interests of my parishioners while ensuring that I do not personally benefit from the changes made to planning and zoning. 

“I realise this is a balancing act, and also that feelings run really high on matters of planning.

“Everybody wants affordable homes for their children, and nobody wants a bungalow built in their back garden. I have always tried to act in a way that benefits Grouville – and the island – rather than myself, and this instance is no exception. This is why I will withdraw from the States Assembly when these fields are being debated.”

CLICK TO ENLARGE: Ringed fields are those proposed for development. Deputy Labey is the 'reversionary owner' of fields G403C, G403D and G432A.

Asked why her declaration of interests had recently been updated from saying she owned ‘fields’ to specifying exactly which fields, the Deputy said: “During the last week, I was contacted by the Parish Hall to say that it had come to their notice that some of their records did not list field numbers; instead, old Jersey farmhouses had reflected areas of land rather than field numbers - the rates payable were the same, but the recorded details identifying the land were different. 

“I used their letter to ensure my declaration reflected this information.”

Deputy Labey also addressed the potential conflict between her proposal to withdraw G392A and Deputy Wickenden’s amendment to build homes on nearby fields that she legally owns. 

“I lodged my amendment to withdraw field G392A in good faith and because I had been approached by many neighbours who were concerned about the inspectors’ proposals,” she said.

“I also felt it was a field still in agriculture but, as importantly, the field offers one of the few open views to the countryside from Route des Sablons and therefore would have a significant impact to the area if it was developed.

“I am seeking a ruling from the Bailiff about my position.”

The potential development of fields in Grouville will be the subject of a Parish Assembly which has been called by parishioners using the ancient mechanism of a requête. 

Signed by former Bailiff and Senator Sir Philip Bailhache and 15 other parishioners, the proposal before the assembly calls on the Constable, John Le Maistre, to oppose all attempts in the Bridging Island Plan to build on fields in Grouville.

It also requests that the Constable withdraws his own amendment, which is to rezone a field, G234, close to Grouville Marsh for houses.

The proposal also requests that he relay to the States Assembly the parish’s strong support for Deputy Labey’s amendment to withdraw G392A.

The assembly will be held next Thursday, 10 March, at 19:30. Any Grouville parishioner on the electoral roll who wishes to attend should register beforehand by calling the parish hall on 852225 or emailing parishhall@grouville.je by 15:45 on Wednesday 9 March.