18/10/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Hello, welcome to BBC Channel Islands. Here in the Channel

Islands: Cleared for take-off - controversial plans for Guernsey's

runway are given the green light. The final push - with hours to go

until polls open, candidates attempt to impress. And happy

birthday, Bergerac - we look back at 30 years of the drama that put

Good evening. It's been controversial from the very

beginning but now plans to upgrade the runway at Guernsey airport have

been given the go-ahead. The proposals were approved today,

meaning work can start next year. Penny Elderfield reports.

Planes have been taking off here for decades, but the authorities

say if that's to continue, major work is needed on the runway. And

it doesn't come cheap. These plans have just been approved, and at a

cost of �80 million it's the biggest project ever to be

undertaken by the States. delighted, albeit there are

conditions attached to the application. That is what we have

to do now, work with the contractors and the conditions.

Work with the environment to process conditions and it is what

we will be doing from tomorrow, it will take time, but we will get

through it. The decision followed months of consultation, where

critics had the chance to voice concerns. But concerns the

proposals go against the Island's planning laws remain, meaning this

isn't the end of the story. only next stage would be to call

for a judicial review on whether not that the board of the

Environment Department was entitled to approve the scheme. In other

words, or whether the applied with the legislation.

Work at the airport could now start as soon as next year, but as the

threat of a legal challenge remains, we still don't know for sure

whether it will. Armed Guernsey police officers are

attending an incident at a housing estate in Castel. Police were

called to the scene at Les Genats this afternoon. Access to the

estate is currently blocked. We'll bring you more details in the news

at 10:25pm. Channel Television is being sold to

ITV plc for an undisclosed sum. The station was one of a handful still

outside the ITV network. It's been owned by the Yattendon Group since

2001 and next year will celebrate 50 years of broadcasting. But

management say the change won't affect output. You will not see any

difference at all, it is business as usual. We're proud that we run a

strong regional service here and ITV have indicated they support

that regional service and do not see any significant changes taking

place. We see it as a positive move. Her Now, there's just hours to go

until Jersey goes to the polls for its elections. With the countdown

well and truly on, the last Senatorial hustings was held last

night in St Helier and hundreds turned out to grill the 13

candidates going for the four available seats. Amy Harris was

A sea of faces and standing room only. They even listened from

outside the door as question time came to town. It was the last stop

on the Senatorial campaign trail and the last opportunity for voters

to hear from the 13 candidates going for four seats. I'm keen to

hear about immigration. Immigration. We must stop wasting money, it's

got to be done. We don't want extra taxation. Issues covered ranged

from housing to car parking to education. What do you think about

three schools? I think they will not be very appropriate for infants.

I do not know enough about the three school concept to give you an

educated dancer but I have to be persuaded. Schooling has already

complicated enough and free schools have caused a lot of discord and

our communities. So did parishioners like what they heard?

There's a broad cross-section of opinion. There are some who are

clearly not going to go very far and it will be a dreadful choice

with four rather than six. Tonight has changed my view on some of the

candidates. I found it extremely interesting and it will be hard to

choose between candidates. But what do the candidates hope they got

across? I hope people will remember I have already got things done that

people have been asking for for many years. I bring commonsense and

balanced judgment to all the decisions I make. I try to take as

many people with meet in taking good can -- decisions on behalf of

the community. I think there should be a referendum on the change of

the constitution. I think the Constables should look after parish

matters and there should be detailed legislation if they do not

agree with that. I am in favour of constitutional reform. The current

system is just not working. We have to change from the three different

members, and go for just one type of member and everyone after that

should fall into place in a better system. Of all the candidates, I'm

the one with a platform to build a fairer and greener future for us

and our children. They should take away that I am intelligent, capable

and represent them better than they have been before. So that's it, the

big clear up after the last Senatorial Hustings here in St

Helier. All the 13 candidates can do now is hope that they've done

enough so that people will vote for them on election day.

And here they all are, the 13 candidates wanting your vote

tomorrow for the role of senator. There's more on the election and

all of the candidates for Senator, Deputy and Constable on the BBC

Jersey website. The star of the hit TV drama

Bergerac says the Channel Islands should invest in becoming a

location to shoot films. John Nettles was in the islands recently

to celebrate three decades of the BBC drama, set in Jersey. Meanwhile,

those that starred on the show have been sharing their memories of what

This is an iconic landmark from the opening titles of the programme,

but it almost started as something entirely different. The creator

Robert Banks Stewart had wanted to film a comedy set in the Channel

Islands, before the days of 'Allo 'Allo but TV bosses weren't having

it. He said we cannot do it because it is insulting to people. The

Channel Islands had been occupied. And with a love of Jersey at the

back of his mind - Bergerac was born. What a great place to make a

series. I had done a shoestring and got the BBC last, prizing me away

from the back streets of London. I thought, if I do it well and it's a

good drama, that's how it came to be Jersey. With the first episodes

filmed, the wait for screening and what the public thought was tense.

When it hit the screen on Sunday night, it got around 15 or 16

million viewers. I went out and got very drunk. That was when it became

a pleasure to do. And as members of the cast and crew got together to

celebrate three decades of the hit BBC show, it's clear it's left

lasting memories. I think what is fantastic about the programme is it

keeps its viewers say. You know you're going to get beautiful

scenery, the plot resolved and you know right will win over wrong.

Very rarely in one's area have I read something and thought, wow,

what a script. My character had all these disguises and some even

people on the crew did not recognise me. It was such fun to

come here every year. I think what they ought to do now is the should

retire to Jersey. Bergerac himself thinks the Channel Islands has what

it takes to shine on the screen. The islands should get themselves

together to a Ford affirm -- Film Company's tax breaks or some kind

of financial arrangement whereby they could save money to bring

productions here. They would bring productions here and along with

that a lot of money. Millions of pounds. But could the show come

back? As an old man? I could come back as a cold case detective.

tried to bring back a series where it would be revealed that Bergerac

had a daughter. We somehow could not persuade at either ITV or BBC.

Three decades on, it's apparent Bergerac still holds a place in the

hearts of those who starred on it and those who live in the islands -

but let's leave Jim to have the last word.

That was a joy to put together and thanks to all the cast and crew who

took the time to talk to me. Now, took the time to talk to me. Now,

it's getting a bit colder. David has the forecast. The coal there

has arrived across the Channel Islands and they will be more of

that across the next two days. Quite a blustery evening tonight

with showers probably continuing. For much of tomorrow, the risk of

showers with some sunshine between those showers. On Thursday and

Friday, high pressure moves in settling things down. There is a

change in one direction and they will see temperatures rise again,

perhaps as much as 15 Celsius. Over night tonight, up into single

figures with some clear sky and temperatures as low as nine Celsius.

Still that north-west breeze which will continue to give a showers and

to the morning. Into the afternoon, showers will become more isolated

with the chance of some sunshine in the afternoon. Feeling colder than

that because of the brisk north- west wind. Here is our coastal

waters forecast. Visibility is good falling to moderate in those

showers. For a sufferers, both beaches will be choppy with the

biggest waves likely to be around at three or four feet. Looks quite

good for the weekend with temperatures looking a little bit

higher and later winds on Thursday. By Friday, winds becomes south-

westerly. Sunny spells and temperatures up to 15 Celsius. On

Saturday, 16 Celsius is possible with warm air from the south. Here

with warm air from the south. Here is the summary. With just hours

until polls open in Jersey, make sure you join us here on the