CGi says Saltpans is a wise move
Release date: 15/02/2007
CGi Press Release contributing to the debate on the proposed development of an area of land in the Saltpans for Light Industry
Press Release
15 February 2007
CGI says Saltpans Development is a wise move
The Confederation of Guernsey Industry (CGi) is contributing to the local Saltpans debate by saying that the development project is one step in the right direction for light industry.
The CGi is a local industry body which represents the interests of over 90 member companies in Guernsey through its eight-strong committee.
Committee Chairman Designate, Philip Duquemin urges the Environment Department to take further steps to secure the future of diverse industries on-island,
“While we commend the Environment Department for proposing the development of this site for light industry use, we think this is a peripheral solution because the Saltpans area is the only parcel of land that has been designated for industry use in Guernsey”.
He also states the CGi’s concern that the site will be an exclusive site which might not attract local business,
“The States must ensure the development is targeted to the right market demand – the proposed landscaping, quality build and size of the units lend the development more to gold-plated firms than to entrepreneurial start-ups or existing local firms which might be looking to expand”.
Committee Director, Peter Budwin, explains the next steps that the CGi would like the Environment Department to make,
“We’d like to see the Department cater for local small and expanding companies by growing existing sites to promote current business,
“In the past the Department suggested that developing sites can be used temporarily by industry prior to their development – as in the case of Bellegrave Vinery – but this has failed due to the imposed conditions placed on the site by the Environment Department which, frankly, makes short-term leasing unaffordable for local companies. The Saltpans development is an opportunity for the Department to create an area of land than can really benefit existing business in Guernsey”.