26/01/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening, welcomed. The top stories.

Guernsey States scrap the housing laws as preparations begin for a

new motor station to control the population.

The future at last for the former Odeon cinema in St Helier, as it is

sold to the Freedom Church. Turning professional, the local

woman off to play the beautiful game in one of Scandinavia's

game in one of Scandinavia's Guernsey States has agreed to move

ahead to changes to how they manage their population. The housing gulls

will be scrapped and a new system of permits could be introduced. It

will also give people who work there the right to stay. But there

are still -- there is still a long way to go before any definite

alternative is decided on. With more than 62,000 people

already living in Guernsey, and limited space, the population just

cannot keep growing. Coming up with a way of controlling the size and

make-up of it is no easy task. Some politicians would say it is a

It is difficult, because everybody has got their own view. Sometimes,

they see being a local as being here for hundreds of years, some

see it as after 15 years. Exploring the views of the politicians was

what the debate was all about. There are lots of ideas, such as

work permits, but there are no firm proposals. The current group will

look at all the information that has gone through the debate, put it

together in some form, so that the future group will be able to take

the matter forward. The open market took a hit when it was suggested

the review could change it. Even though it has been ruled out, some

people are concerned it could take a while to bounce back. We will see

what the reaction is in the market. Will people pay the premiums for

the open market? I cannot answer that, time will tell. It will be

end of the year before the state come up with the final plans. We

wonder whether the mission has come up with a mission that works or

whether it will just please everybody in the process.

It is one of Jersey's most iconic and controversial sites, plans to

knock it down were scuppered, but it is set for a new lease of life.

The former Odeon cinema has been sold for �1 million, but not to a

builder or developer, but to a church.

2004, and the famous Odeon sign is taken down for the last time. It

reopened again in 2005 as the New Forum cinema, only to close its

doors again three years ago. This was the vision. A development of

shops, offices and flats. But that idea was rejected, because of

planning concerns. But now, after months of uncertainty, planning

applications and planning rejections, the Odeon building is

set to be transformed into this. Soon, this will be our new home,

the former Odeon building is to become the Freedom Centre. We have

been on a journey for many years, out drink many different facilities,

culminating in the school for the last eight years. We see the centre

ranging from a cafe and restaurant in the front, with a performance

auditorium, the Centre for Creative Arts. But of the owners selling it

because they could not get their way? It was not sold out of

frustration, it was going through a process, the listing was retained

last year, and it was one of the options available. Finally, a plan

has been made. It has been a long time in coming, but the future of

one of Jersey's most historic and important sites seems to be secured.

Small businesses are becoming increasingly vulnerable to theft, a

warning from Jersey Police. Although few homes were burgled and

2011, the overall number of break- ins. Of the previous year. Most

were sheds, carriages, building sites and food kiosks. This cafe

was broken into last year. The police have formed a special unit

to clamp down on this type of crime. Burglary, as well as the financial

impact, it has an emotional impact. If you have been broken into. We

are talking about a small group of people responsible for the majority

of these burglaries that take place. We are looking to focus our

attentions on these people, and bring them to justice.

A national conservation organisation is encouraging

Guernsey to introduce full sewage treatment. The Marine Conservation

Society says while many Guernsey beaches are included in the guide,

some are not even considered, because of the potential risk of

sewage pollution. The group says it has a policy of encouraging

treatment. This week, we are looking ahead to

the Olympics in London. But six months to go, two of our athletes

are looking to do more than qualify. They are going for gold.

It has taken years to build the Olympic Stadium. But now there are

just six months until athletes from the Channel Islands could be

competing in the greatest games on earth. Many still have to qualify

to represent Great Britain, but two who are not only confident of a

place but are also tipped to win a medal, Carl Hester and Beckie

Herbert. London will be the fourth Olympics that Carl Hester has

competed at, he has never won a medal before, but he is in good

form, having won silver at the European Championships. Thinking

about getting a medal is always at the front of your mind. The chances

should be high. As a team, we are coming into the Olympics, where

people are expecting us to take the gold medal. We won by the biggest

margin ever seen. The women's hockey team is in a strong position

to compete for a place on the podium in London. One of the squad

members his Jersey's Beckie Herbert. Six months to go, it is an exciting

time for any athlete. Although it is really exciting, it is also

pretty tough, there is a lot of pressure, we have got a squad with

nearly twice as many people as there are places, so we are aware

that there are no guarantees that any of us will be out there, at the

Olympics. But if I keep training hard, and will give myself the best

shot I can. Only a handful of Channel Islanders have won Olympic

medals, but with them go the dreams and hopes of not only the islands

but the whole nation. A woman from Jersey left the island

this week to start a new life as a professional footballer, and it is

all down to a chance encounter at the Island Games.

Giving her all, Jodie Botterill is going on to bigger and better

things. She is joining one of the biggest professional teams in

Scandinavia. It is all thanks to her performance at the Island Games.

We played against them, and the coach spoke to me, told me how well

I played, and I should look into going over there to play. When I

get back to Jersey, the J FA hot May, and their coach asked me to go

over for a trial. As well as a sporting challenge, she has a new

life, culture and language to get used to. I have been told there is

a time in winter where there does not have any daylight. The coach

said it is a good time to learn the language! The team will miss her,

but it is clear her team-mates and coach offal for her. The last year,

she has taken on much more of a professional approach to her career.

It has culminated in the opportunity she has now. Whinges

the play her new team in the next Island Games, let's hope she

remembers who gave her the push she needed -- when Jersey play her new

team. Jersey Rugby Club have a new weapon

in their battle for promotion. They have signed Jason Gething from the

club that won National League One Some cold weather tonight and

tomorrow. We expect some showers to deny it. More of them to come

through the day tomorrow, though not quite as heavy. In the middle

of the day, frequent showers, before they fade away. We have got

low pressure, it is quite a long way away from the Channel Islands,

but it has an influence into northern France. It is less windy

by the time we get a lunchtime tomorrow. Into the weekend, we have

an area of high pressure moving closer. Towards the end of the day,

that allows a warm front to approach from the West. For the

moment, some clear skies, and it is quite a cold one. Those brisk winds

will move to a north-westerly. Showers until dawn. The

temperatures start at four or five degrees. Tomorrow it is not a bad

start. It will cloud over somewhat, with showers. But the wind is brisk

and from the West or north-west, The surfing is likely to be quite

On Saturday, we can expect a bright, fine day. A cold start on Saturday

morning, potentially with a touch of frost. More cloud on Saturday