Talks call over car park boulders

Boulders were placed at the site and later moved

A Guernsey deputy is calling for open talks to settle a dispute over rights for an area to be used for car parking.

The ground, situated next to Checkers Express in Cobo, was bought by AW Holding Corp in November for £50,000. It was barricaded last week.

The boulders were then moved on Friday night and a sign saying "car park open" appeared on Saturday. It is not clear who put it up.

Castel Deputy Hunter Adam said everyone involved needed to work together.

Stakeholders' interests

Previous to AW Holding Corp buying the area, the car park was still owned privately but open for public use.

Its blocking angered local fishermen and retailers.

However, nearby shops - Cobo Village Stores and Checkers - as well as parish officials, including its Douzaineers, all said they had no knowledge of how the boulders were moved to allow access again.

Castel Deputy Hunter Adam said businesses and other parties interested in the land might have to look at buying it themselves.

He said: "Is it up to the parish? It will cost a lot of money to buy and then what value is it to it.

"Is it up to all the stakeholders down in that area to go forward and discussing purchasing it, so they can then use it for their customers?

"It's a case of everyone sitting down and discussing it openly."

The AW Holding Corp has not commented on the situation.

The Environment Department said it had received a number of calls from the public who were concerned about the matter and said it was looking into the situation.