Jersey man wins complaint against Planning Department 'vendetta' that's left him thousands of pounds worse off

A States of Jersey Complaints board has found a man from Jersey has been treated in an "oppressive" and "discriminatory" way during the planning application process.

Ivor Barette was fined £50,000 in 2016 for removing historic windows and flooring from his property. After being issued with an enforcement notice and failing to put things back to how they were, he was taken to court where he pleaded guilty and was handed down the hefty fine.

He then put up signs on the house to protest against his treatment.

Mr Barette says he was trying to replace the windows as they were rotting.

The Jerseyman has been unable to live in his farmhouse in St Mary for five years, saying he cannot afford repairs after spending £70,000 in legal fees alone.

He told a States of Jersey Complaints Board that the excessive monitoring of building work at his property by two Enforcement Officers created "distrust and conflict". One officer had also been previously disciplined when he was in the police force following a misconduct complaint by Mr Barette.

The board says this individual should not have been involved in the case. It has recommended that a more rigorous procedure be put in to place to monitor conflicts of interest in the planning process and advises a written apology be made.

In response the Department of Environment says it will be looking into improving the process for islanders.

Mr Barette says he is hoping for some form of compensation.