Vaz owner refuses to stop rebuild

THE owner of former Vazon Bay Hotel has promised to flout island planning laws and continue redeveloping the building - despite not having permission to do so.
Hadrian Wakeham, who bought the ‘Vaz’ for more than £1m. last July, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court for breaking island development laws after he started work on transforming it into a five-star apart-hotel without the relevant permits.
He pleaded guilty and was fined £500 for the offence but yesterday said that he would continue to push ahead with the redevelopment - despite the lack of permission - because it was vital that the business was running by the summer
‘I broke the law and accepted my punishment,’ he said. ‘Despite Environment receiving the application in late October we have still not heard a dicky-bird. We haven’t stopped the work after the court case because we had to get cracking if we’re going to make it for the summer. It’s absolutely imperative that we get it open for the summer.’
The Environment Department said that it would not comment on individual cases where there was a current ‘live’ application.
The department could confirm, as a matter of public record, that an application for a permit to undertake works at the Vazon Bay Hotel had been lodged on 24 December 2008.(from thisisguernsey)

Is he right?

I cannot see how he will be allowed to get away with this, if he does then it calls into question the whole planning laws..

The planning dept seem to have very soft teeth but a loud bark. The old boy in Rue des Bergers still has his shed up, even after a few court cases. They seem to be unable to stop a determined developer.

Can't they seek a court order to have the structure either demolished or at least returned to the previous undeveloped state? Would seem logical, but I don't know.

Not sure if he is right or wrong (in principle he is wrong) - but I do know if Guernsey wants something to happen it gets 'put through' very quickly (breathtakingly sometimes)....and if they are sincere about kick-starting the tourist industy - they should not be dragging their feet....time is money as we all know - because one department of the States dragged their feet (for over two years) on our business we can no longer afford to stay and wait it out....enough is enough is enough!!!!! so we are now going back to Australia (hubby's homeland) where he is assured of an instant start up (yes it was a tourist business) very small but nevertheless for tourism - so how many more people will have to pull out for the same reason before they see sense???

In principle he is wrong but he must also be frustrated with the way the system drags along with no care in the world for other people.

How can he claim frustration when the work started before he had even submitted his application?

Sometimes (especially in Guernsey) you just gotta do it!!!! We are 'brainwashed' into submission on all counts.....there has to be a 'Rebel with a Cause' somewhere to even it out!!!!

The place was a run down dump and from what I can see this guy has not done anything drastic other than renew what needed renewing and upgrading what was a run down prime site hotel into something that the Island can be proud of having,

I cant see how he can make it pay but thats totally another issue.

looking atthe website i think he is doing more than renewing the odd thing or three

http://www.wavesguernsey.com/

The Interior is being completly re designed which was needed, from what I can see of the exterior its just renewing what needs renewing.

The Planing Dept should realise that companies Investing in a property like that needs decisions in a timely fashion, an extra 10 weeks delay means a loss of the whole season.

I dont see that they should object anyway as its all an improovement without changing the size or look dramatically.

I know it's a pain in the rear but if you don't have a system(however convoluted and wearisome)then anarchy rules.If the man is prepared to spend his millions then he should have paid for advice on Guernsey's planning minefield before he purchased.

Whoops there goes another 'Investor in Guernsey Tourism' - they (the IDC) cannot afford to drag their feet over planning permision for this type of project......If people other than Banks want to invest in the Island...encourage !!! New Hotel, employing more people....get it passed and quick.....otherwise there will be another derelict hotel that will probably be turned into a retirement home...we are fast becoming the Isle of Wight .... and old folks do not spend in shops and restaurants or boost the economy!!!

Creating"special cases" ie tourism,is a very slippery path

Nothing special - just don't shilly-shally and dilly-dally!!!!

How can they be accused of dilly dallying when the plans hadn't even been submitted?

They will - it took me 4 years and £5K in plans to get permission to alter my house - I could wallpaper my rooms with 'incongruous' replies!!!! and it was nothing fancy that I wanted.....and I used one of their own architects....duh!!!