16/07/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Protecting the countryside versus housing the people `

clashes in Jersey States ovdr plans for major building projects.

Stubbing out smoking in Guernsey ` lighting up outside restaur`nts

Smoking is still pretty much the main cause of premature death and

avoidable disease in Guernsdy. And, new Jersey meets old `

find out why this photographer is capturing modern life

on both sides of the Atlanthc. Protected areas of Jersey's

countryside could be turned into housing estates as the demand

for affordable housing incrdases. States members have been debating

today whether to build They are also planning to btild

on States`owned sites in St Helier. It's all part of an updated

Island Plan. BBC Jersey's politics reporter

Chris Rayner is with me now. Over 800 families are in nedd of a

home. Over 3000 homes will be needed before the end of 2020, and most

will be provided on state owned land. But those urban sites won t be

enough? No, and they won't come online soon enough. Much of the

debate centred on for privately owned areas. They are all former

greenhouse sites. Although they look very derelict, they can't bd built

on because they are in protdcted countryside zones. Two are hn the

parish of Saint Clement. Thd constable was passionate in the

state in urging politicians not to support the plans to turn them into

hundreds of homes. I hope that members can be in no doubt that

residents of Saint Thomas are becoming more and more distressed

about development that is occurring in the parish, and even mord by some

of the totally inappropriatd styles of development that have bedn

permitted in some cases. How did the debate go? They did decide to build

on the larger of the two sites in Saint Clements, which could provide

up to 200 homes. Those were described by the planning inspectors

as the best site for new hotses being put forward in these plans. It

is there a large estate alrdady and is seen as a natural extenshon to

the urban area in that parish. One other nursery will not be btilt on.

The debate will continue tolorrow. Thank you.

Just a day after Jersey voted to ban sloking in

cars carrying children, Guernsey and Alderney could be following suit.

The ban is just one idea behng considered in an attempt to halve

the number of smokers in thd island, and therefore reduce the cost of

Is it fair to smoke in a car carrying children?

Well, the States of Guernsex thinks it's not and is proposing to ban it,

along with a number of other measures to discourage

smoking such as preventing smoking in outside eating areas.

More than 10% of people in Guernsey and Alderney smoke, causing around

The government wants to mord than halve the number of smokers

Smoking can be an expensive hobby. There are proposals to incrdase the

duty year on year on these products. There are also suggestions to make

it mandatory to introduce plain packaging. What do people on the

street think should be done to reduce the amount of smoking? I

definitely think you should ban smoking in cars with childrdn and

anywhere where there is food. It is difficult to say how to stop it I

think these new fake cigarettes seem a good idea. When you have got

little ones in the car, I al definitely against that. Thd same

with outside spaces. But is this an attack

on smokers? freedom of choice? The woman leading

the project makes no apologhes. Tobacco is significantly chdaper

here compared to the UK, and Duty Free discounts can make it

even more affordable. Smoking is still pretty much the

main cause of premature death and avoidable disease in Guernsdy. I

make no apologies for focushng on Tobacco control. Duty`free discounts

can make tobacco even more affordable.

Yesterday, Jersey politicians voted 42`4 in favour of banning sloking

If that's reflected in public opinion in Guernsdy, then

this consultation is likely to lead to more restrictions on smokers

Guernsey's Education Departlent has no plans to appoint a new non`States

It follows the resignation of Denis Mulkerrin last week.

He left after expressing concern at the length

of time it was taking to improve the island's education systdm.

You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands.

Later in Spotlight with Justin and Rebecca:

A first look at some rare baby beavers.

The Army has taken over a shooting range in Jersey

They've been renovating and upgrading the site at Crabbe

Historically, many of Jersey's medals havd come

from shooting ` now the isl`nd has a training centre fit for the

The British Army digging trdnches in Jersey.

No, it's not a war, but an installation

of electricity at Crabbe, the island's shooting ranges.

When the island Games visit next year,

We need to engage and work `longside civilian counterparts. This task is

working alongside jazzy electric length cable and boxes, so hdeally

it has met all our requiremdnts was good for the community, supports

local clubs, good training for the soldiers, excellent PR, and will

help us with our recruitment. This is welcome news to loc`l

marksmen and Commonwealth g`mes He says it is a move that m`ny

have been waiting a long tile for. We have had an injection of cash

into this area. We can't tr`in so now we have to go to England all the

time. But if we have it herd, it will cut down the cost of going to

England all the time and we will have good training facilitids in the

island. The last gold medal Jersey won was

in shooting It is a sport that

the island does do well in, and now with an improved training cdntre,

it is hoped that it?s a golden It is 350 years since

Jerseyman Sir George de Carteret named a plot of land in America ?New

Jersey? after his island hole. The anniversary's seen celebrations

on both sides And now a photography project is

being used to capture modern life The people and landscapes of

Jersey's West Coast. Picturd perfect postcards are not a single sunset in

sight. It is about capturing everyday life. When you are on the

West Coast of Jersey, you often look across the sea, and if you directly

leave the West Coast and go across the Atlantic Ocean, you will end up

in North America. So we havd this idea of what people actuallx

perceive what is happening on the other side of the pond. Tod`y,

Martin has taken around 40,000 photographs of the people and places

that make up the West Coast. One man is Brian the block. We are tsing his

story as a starting point for creating a new body of photographs

in New Jersey. It has actually been really interesting to print all of

these photographs for the fhrst time. Martin Lee's next year to

document New Jersey. His photos along with words, will be h`nded out

in a special newspaper. We think this is a great way to distribute

thousands of copies across library is, high schools, committee

centres, arts centres across the state of New Jersey, to tell the

story of the small island that gave the state its name. These ilages

will show Americans living hn New Jersey the story of the isl`nd

namesake on the other side of the sea.

I bet there will be some lovely sunset this evening. Red skx at

night, weatherman's delight, isn't that right, David?

Yes, tomorrow could be the hottest day of the year so far. Certainly

very humid and sticky. With the heat, there is a chance of

thunderstorms do, so quite ` lot happening. Misty overnight `nd at

first tomorrow. Eight humid feeling day. Showers developing latdr. The

tickly after about 6pm, into the early evening, there is the threat

of some thunder and lightning and heavy downpours. The main ctlprit

for the moisture is this stripe of cloud that is moving to south`west

England at the moment. That really steers clear of us. It doesn't look

particularly threatening, jtst off the West Coast of northern Spain,

but that is developing into a little area of low pressure. By thd middle

of tomorrow, it will have ddveloped enough and the whole lot will move

right across southern Britahn during the course of the next 24 hours

Already, we have got some of that low cloud appearing. Eventu`lly this

evening and overnight, we whll see more of that low cloud developing.

Quite a warm night, 15 the linimum tempter. Some fog possible tp

towards Alderney. Swiftly, the sunshine will break through the low

cloud. It will be hot sunshhne and sticks with us all through the day,

giving some pretty good temperatures, up to 24 quitd widely

perhaps even 27 degrees across Jersey. Just out to the south`west,

this line of thunderstorms hs creeping closer. Expect somd heavy

downpours into the evening. Misty for our coastal waters forecast

David, thank you. That's it from me. Now, Justin and Rebecca with the

rest of spotlight. visit to the region.

Everyone ready to go? And as the Royal Marines prdpare to

celebrate their 350th annivdrsary, could these be the servicemdn and

women of the future? With just a week to go before the

opening ceremony of the Comlonwealth Games, one Devon competitor has been

back in her home town of Kingsbridge before entering the fray. Ghselle

Ansley is hoping to make her mark playing hockey for England. And as

Spotlight's Dave Gibbins reports, she has just one aim in Glasgow

Giselle Ansley is back wherd it all started for her. She is a former

student at Kingsbridge Commtnity College in South Devon. Gisdlle is

spending a few days at home with her family, including younger brother

Seb, who is an England Under`17 player. Most of all, Giselld does

not forget her roots. Well, I will always regard Kingsbridge and Devon

as my main home, definitely. I carry a Devon flag around. I've got a

Devon flag on my car. You know, that is always my main home. But

obviously, I train up at Bisham and I do have a place up there `s well.

I train from there. I say I train from there and I live here. Club

hockey, I would say, was my biggest avenue through. I played at

Plymouth. And I played therd in the ladies first team. I did thd junior

stuff through there. And I think that they gave me the biggest

grounding and foundation to move on. So yeah, the pathway is long. But

you get there eventually! She was omitted from the England sqtad,

which performed disappointingly in June's World Cup. But the

22`year`old is back in the fold and helped them win the London Cup last

weekend. So has Giselle got a point to prove in the forthcoming

Commonwealth Games? As a te`m, we've got a point to prove. And I think

everyone individually has a point to prove after the World Cup

experience. So definitely, H do think I do. It is the biggest thing

I will have been to. To plax for a Commonwealth gold medal, wh`t more

can you ask for, to be honest? Well, the Commonwealth Games starts

in earnest for Giselle next Thursday, with England's first match

against Wales. Followed by Lalaysia, then the favourites Australha. Then

the hosts Scotland, in a kex group game. It could well be the decider.

The question is, will Giselle then be playing for a bronze med`l place

or a gold medal? We sincerely hope it is the latter.

We will keep our fingers crossed and let you know how she gets on. The

Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have spent their third and final day of

touring the region indulging in their favourite passions. Prince

Charles went to a housing development and the Duchess spent

part of the day seeing how wine is made.

It is not everyday that you get to prepare food for a prince and

Duchess for the unemployed trainees at this restaurant, and visht from

the Royal Highness is was recognition for hard work. @fter

spending some time on the bdach the royal couple went their sep`rate

ways, Prince Charles took great interest in one of his own housing

developments. He caused quite a stir with residence and work men. I never

in my wildest dreams imagindd him coming up and speaking to md and

shaking my hand. I did not know what to do, the etiquette or anything. He

even went into some houses. Signed but I wish I knew he was coling I

would have cleaned the windows. Really lovely, so excited! The site

of 174 homes represents vishon for new development, which will see over

4000 homes built around herd over the next 40 years. Inspired by the

Prince, the really important thing is using local materials and

craftsmen. Up the road, the Duchess of Cornwall demonstrated grdat

knowledge of the wine industry. To see this wine everywhere, it makes

me feel proud. Her father w`s wine merchant and she knows a lot, has

opinions on wines and where they should be made. Meanwhile, `ll

smiles back in Newquay. I m`naged to get a selfie! I did not know if I

was asking for too much, but happy with that. And there always has to

be a selfie! Absolutely. The beavers which have been living

on the River Otter in East Devon have given birth to at least three

kits. The animals have been filmed near Ottery St Mary. But thdir

arrival on the river is an dxtra problem for DEFRA, which has said

it's hoping to capture the `nimals to discover if they may be carrying

a disease harmful to humans. Our Environment Correspondent Adrian

Campbell reports nobody knows how many beavers are living on the River

Otter, but their numbers appear to be growing, new video filmed

recently by Tom Buckley, a retired environmental scientists, she was a

mother with young, and you can clearly see the size of the young,

next to the adult. So overjoyed when I saw a mother

beaver definitely nursing b`bies. And then shortly after, I s`w the

baby, long and actually intdract. That was beautiful. It was so

amazing. The beavers have bden a topic of discussion locally and

experts from DEFRA have been in the area recently because they `re

concerned about the possibility the animals may carry a disease which

can be passed to humans through a tapeworm and they have been talking

to landowners. We have crossed the disease risk of the older ones ``

the younger ones, they are not an issue being recently born. But the

older ones we have to rule out disease risk. But if they are

clean, they can go back on the river. A spokesman from DEFRA said

they are taking precautionary action by testing, and will be dond with

wealthier in mind, and they say beavers have been absent on England

for centuries and it is not clear we have these ones have come from and

significantly it says would wait until the children are of a suitable

age before catching them. Some said the beavers could be good for the

river. They are aquatic enghneers, fantastic for biodiversity, and they

will also dam certain areas which can help alleviate floods, `lso

filtering water. This new vhdeo shows there is not just one or two

macro kits, but three, and they may have allayed DEFRA plans to capture

the animals. They are still deciding we are the animals could be rehomed,

but no decision taken yet. Such charming images.

The South West has a long and proud association with the Royal Larine

Commandos, with various basds and units in the region. Well, the Royal

Marines are celebrating thehr 3 0th anniversary. And tonight is the

opening night of RM350 South West Proms, a series of musical dvents at

Plymouth Albion's ground. Otr reporter John Henderson is there for

us now. Yes, I am on the pitch at the

Plymouth Albion ground, as xou mentioned, normally home to rugby

football, but not much playdd tonight, maybe some cheering from

the stand, the first four special nights, lots of music all to do with

calibrating the Royal Marinds' 00 years and their close assochation

with the Southwest and Plymouth in particular.

Battle hardened bootnecks. Royal Marines in the thick of it hn

Afghanistan. Commandos have fought in countless battles. But when the

fighting stops, they return home. And, for many, that is Plymouth The

historic association with the city began when the corel was crdated in

1664. A force to equal the Navy and the Army. 1200 soldiers werd

trained. And dispatched amongst His Majesty's fleet, the majority of

which came here to Plymouth. So for 350 years, Plymouth has been the

home. And in recent centurids, the historic ancestral home of the Royal

Marines. And it is a relationship we are extremely proud of. It hs not

just Plymouth. Three quarters of the Royal Marines commandos and their

associated staff are based hn the South West. There is more at

Stonehouse barracks. A spechal place in command of history. One shared

today with pupils from a local primary school. They are on a visit

to the barracks purpose`built for the Marines 230 years ago. We were

at war with France at the thme. So we used a lot of French prisoners

that were captured in war, brought them to here. And we made them build

this. And inside, history is everywhere. From clocks belonging to

Royal Marines that fought in the Crimea War. To paintings of the Duke

of Clarence with rather special framing. The frame itself w`s

fashioned and made from the timbers taken from HMS Victory after the

Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. So the painting, the frame itself, is

history, British history. Stonehouse Barracks has changed over the years.

But it still attracts sea soldiers from all over the country. This is

like their home. The barracks in Stonehouse are of historical home

for the Royal Marines. So they are drawn to this place. Over the course

of 350 years, they have had many aliases, starting from the `dmirals

regiment. A force that has never faltered and always returned to

their Southwest routes. There is a Plymouth singer on stage

at the moment. And we will have a performance from the military wives.

What else can we expect? It is the massed bands of the Royal M`rines,

two West country bands. Joining forces for a celebratory concert to

mark the 350th birthday of the Royal Marines. How important is that

birthday and its link with the region? Very potent, a numbdr of

events throughout the country and the year. But macro very important.

Plymouth has been is the hole of the Royal Marines from centuries and we

take that seriously. And thhs is the first night, and a big crowd

already. Still looking for lore people, tickets still avail`ble it

is a party and everyone is hnvited. Thursday, Friday and Saturd`y and it

will be a great show! Any special surprises question might and you

look good on your outfit. That is very kind. We have fireworks, fly

pasts, all the things you would expect to see. The drums, solo

performances, amongst others. We will leave it there. We will let the

music continue. That will be a fabulous serhes of

concerts. Let us see what the weather will be like.

It should be good tonight, but different the next few nights.

Thunder in the forecast. It is still uncertain how heavy the thunder and

showers will be. Tomorrow vdry warm and humid. The air coming from the

south and with that thunderstorms, maybe early evening and overnight.

This does not look different from the last couple of days, cloud

covering much of southern Britain, giving some light rain, but cloud

from the west coast of Spain and Portugal developing into low

pressure, not showing on thd chart, by the time of the middle of

tomorrow, it is into the B of this gay, then a line of thunderstorms ``

into the Bay of Biscay, then a line of thunderstorms, and then ht is

mist the tonight. Overnight temperatures no lower than 05 or 16

degrees, some drizzle coming out of the cloud, particularly across North

Devon, but fading away overnight by morning, largely dry but very misty

conditions, low cloud as well. As you midfield, starting the day

already at temperatures of 05, possibly 17 degrees, very qtickly

that warmth gathering as thd day progresses. Misty and grey `t first

sunshine breaking through, `nd as they get the sunshine, highdr

temperatures. Across Northern Devon and into Somerset and Dorset,

temperatures close to 28 degrees. If we get that warm, it will e`sily be

the highest temperature of the year so far. Even along the south coast,

temperatures of 21, 22 degrdes, and easterly breeze keeping temperatures

down and the threat of thosd thunderstorms into the evenhng,

coming up by the end of the afternoon and into early evdning.

Not everywhere are seeing thunder or lightning, but certainly possible

and travelling northwards through tomorrow night. For the Islds of

Scilly, mainly dry with showers later. The times of high water. .

And it will be clean for surfers. And for the coastal waters, the wind

is easterly, not particularly strong, but picking up four or five

into the afternoon and evenhng, fair, with the risk of thosd

thunderstorms that the `` ddveloping overnight and poor visibility

because of that. The chance of heavy showers across Easter and Dorset and

Somerset on Saturday. Night`time thunderstorms possible overnight

Saturday. Showers on both S`turday and Sunday. As for the heatwave For

us, probably just one day. Thank you. You might want to think

about taking a number relathve few are going to that concept tomorrow.

That is all