22/03/2017 Channel Islands News

Could permeable pavements be the answer to stop

We are looking to identify areas where we could see the greatest

benefit for the retrofit of sustainable drainage

Good evening and welcome to the late news from BBC Channel Islands.

A true story of love, defiance and courage

during the occupation gets its Channel Islands premiere.

The leaders of Jersey and Guernsey's governments have

voiced their support for people involved in the Westminster

Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, tweeted that

his "thoughts are with all those caught up in the attack",

in which four people, including a police officer

and the man thought to be the attacker, have died.

Guernsey's most senior politician says he "recognises the vital role"

played by the emergency services "at times like this".

Both islands have confirmed staff at their London offices

Water bosses in Guernsey believe building extensions and paving over

driveways is making flooding worse in the island.

The process called "urban creep" leads to more water ending

up in sewer systems, rather than soaking into the ground.

They're now urging residents and developers to use more

sustainable drainage systems, as Jessica Banham reports.

The sudden downpour of hail and heavy rain took everyone

In July 2014, drains in St Peter Port were simply

overwhelmed, as too much water flooded the sewer system.

Now, Guernsey Water think this may be the answer.

It might look like an ordinary pavement, but it's actually

permeable, meaning rain water can soak through into the ground,

rather than heading overland and into the sewers.

It's an example of a sustainable drainage system, and the company

thinks it will help prevent flooding in the future.

But not everyone's convinced - this bar on the Pollett was flooded

Long-term, obviously, it seems like a good idea for anyone

outside St Peter Port, but with St Peter Port

being built up already, the flow of water coming

from buildings is already going to be massive when we get

these freak weather events, and what's going to happen

is that the water is still going to go into the drains,

flow into the sewers and flood the buildings along the Pollett.

But water bosses say they're not only urging builders to use

this permeable paving in new developments -

they also hope to replace existing paving in town.

What we're looking to do is to introduce sustainable drainage

as a retrofit into town in particular areas,

and what we're looking at is the areas of greatest benefit

where we'll get most out of our investment.

The new advice has been welcomed by the building industry,

who say sustainable drainage schemes have already started

being implemented, as seen here in Clos Barbier.

But there are concerns it could take time to see the benefits.

You will start to see small improvements obviously

in the first year or so, but, in terms of having

a significant impact, I would have thought it's

Guernsey Water acknowledge this won't be a quick fix, but hope that,

by working alongside the island's builders and architects,

ultimately they can make flooding like this a thing of the past.

Jessica Banham, BBC Channel Islands News, Guernsey.

Two major developments in St Helier have been given

250 homes overlooking the park in Gas Place,

and a third new building at the Finance Centre.

There'll be a lot more building work to come in St Helier,

following today's double dose of planning approval.

While finishing touches are being put to this first building

at the Finance Centre on the Esplanade, work has started

on the second, and a third has got the go-ahead today.

It'll be five storeys, with underground parking.

Plans for a housing development at Gas Place have been rejected

before, but today a new version won approval for about 250 homes,

The buildings will be one or two storeys lower

than originally intended, and I think that is the key issue

for residents on the street, so there is less impact

It could still be blocked if an appeal is made

in the next few weeks, but, if there's no objection,

Luxmy Gopal, BBC Channel Islands News, Jersey.

Work could start soon on a new site for businesses facing eviction

The companies have until the end of the year to move on.

This old vinery is one of two that have been identified as possible

Today, planners gave the go-ahead at an open planning meeting

for the necessary work and change of use.

With any planning permission, it is a three-year permission,

so we will have to instigate that as soon as possible,

but also, if you are a reasonable landowner with a reasonable

application for the clearance of a glasshouse,

The body of a man found off Pleinmont in Guernsey over

the weekend has been confirmed as Patrick Eker.

The 49-year-old's disappearance sparked a major search

after he was reported missing on Saturday.

Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious

and an inquest will be held at a later date.

A film based on the true story of love, defiance

and the courage of one Jersey woman during the occupation had its

Another Mother's Son tells the story of Louisa Gould,

a shop keeper in St Ouen who sheltered an escaped Russian

Earlier this evening, there was a special showing

at the Jersey War Tunnels, and Emma Chambers had a ticket.

And an error couldn't be more appropriate. The tunnels are a

striking reminder of the hardships endured...

Yes, the location of this film premiere could not

The tunnels are a striking reminder of the hardships endured by

slave workers during the German occupation here in Jersey.

One witnessed by many islanders - some who just couldn't stand

Her actions made her a war hero, and now a film sensation.

Any mother would do the same for love.

Saving "Another Mother's Son" - the heroic actions of Louisa Gould,

adapted into a film by her great-niece.

I thought, wow, this is a fantastic story,

and I'm so proud of what these people did, and around that time

I started to think somebody's got to do something with this,

because otherwise it's going to get forgotten.

You know, small documentaries not showing...

Most people don't actually seem to know the story.

But I was nervous about it, because you don't want to mess it up.

You feel a responsibility to get it right.

But this isn't just a sad tale of war and survival -

it's one of love, which cost Louisa's life, and now it will be

If I'm ever lucky enough to have another film made,

I will never again have quite the personal connection

I am just delighted to be able to watch on home turf with people

Actor Jenny Lecoat speaking to me earlier today.

One of the stars of it joins me now, actor Julian Kostov.

You play Bill, the Russian slave workers saved by Louisa Gould.

What about the film made you want to be part of it?

I did not know about the occupation that happened at all,

and it was a remarkable story to tell.

A wonderful character and so many emotional scenes,

in very different areas of human emotion, like fear,

I could not have asked for a better character to play.

It is a dream come true and an honour for me to tell

It wasn't filmed in Jersey, so how does it feel

to be in the island now, where it all happened?

I am honoured that I was invited, and I actually wanted to come

here on my own anyway, because I have imagined this place

in my heart and mind so many times during the film-making,

and it is amazing finally to come and see it, and overwhelming to see

the tunnels as well and know what my character went through.

If you want to see the courageous story of Louisa Gould,

the film will be showing in cinemas across the British Isles

Now let's take a look at the weather.

Not everywhere, granted, and showers haven't been too far away.

This is a lovely shot on Guernsey, taken with the blue skies

Now, things are a little different for tomorrow.

We've got a lot more cloud coming our way.

It has the potential to bring us some showers,

and perhaps even some more persistent rain for a time,

The area of low pressure is on the move.

This is its midday position tomorrow.

By the middle of Friday, it's beginning to sink southwards.

One weather front very close by means another rather

cloudy day on Friday, but, as it moves south,

Brisk, easterly winds, but hopefully a bit of sunshine to enjoy

Showers are possible through the night to come.

Quite a cold night for all of us, too.

I think the overnight temperatures across the Channel islands will get

well into single figures at four or five Celsius.

Tomorrow we have briefly some brightness in the morning,

but, on the whole, there is a lot of cloud.

Again, some sunshine, before more general cloud turns up,

and the afternoon looks like it could be damp,

10 Celsius the top temperature, and a brisk north-easterly wind

As we head into the weekend, though, there is a lot

Some fine weather to enjoy as we move through this

Rather dreary briefly on Friday morning before

A keen wind on Saturday and Sunday, and temperatures should get up

Finally, tomorrow is World Meteorological Day,

and if you want to know more about it,

You can go to the WMO website, which is:

That's your news this Wednesday evening.

BBC Radio Guernsey and Jersey will have bulletins from 6am

tomorrow morning, and I'll be back at 6.30pm tomorrow night.