Field owners demand new survey to check for bombs

Wendy and Bob Hales want a new survey carried out

The owners of a field which a bomb disposal expert claims could contain up to three unexploded World War Two bombs have called on the States to conduct a "proper" survey of the site.

Wendy and Bob Hales, who own the field next to Route Isabelle in St Peter Port, said they had no knowledge of the potential bombs at the time they bought the land in 2016.

Mr Hales said he first learned of potential bombs on the site in 2019, when a survey was conducted by experts from England but "thought no more of it" once it was concluded.

Mrs Hales said she "thought it was a proper inspection and that everything was safe", but was "horrified" to read reports that the survey had only checked for bombs up to four feet below the surface.

She said she felt there was "a huge degree of incompetence" and that a "proper survey" should be completed with a view to compensation.

Ben Remfrey, a former soldier, raised concerns with the States and police that there might be unexploded bombs in the area.

He said he had evidence from 1941 about the bombs, which he had shared with the authorities.

Home Affairs said Guernsey Police was looking into the issue, but nothing had changed in the area since it was last surveyed in 2019 so there was no cause for concern.

Police said they were "aware" of historical records indicating potential unexploded bombs in the area.