Power company buying up neighbouring houses

Guernsey Electricity has not given the number of properties it is purchasing

Guernsey Electricity is buying up houses next to its power station in the Vale.

The firm will only say "several properties" are involved in the "strategic acquisition" ahead of the installation of a new diesel engine.

The company said the houses would "not be allowed to become derelict" and hoped they would be used again as homes in the future.

Chief executive Alan Bates said a number of engines needed replacing.

He said some of the older engines were almost 40 years old.

The installation of the new engine would not meet the requirements for low noise levels at the boundary of the site

Mr Bates said: "A very small number of houses which may be directly affected by the installation, testing and operation of the new medium speed diesel generator will be purchased.

Sales of these properties have been agreed with relevant home owners in advance, but he added details with the individual owners were "confidential."

Neighbours complained about the noise of the previous generator installed in 2012, which led to an acoustic barrier being installed last year.

A £14m generator was installed at the power station in 2012

Turmoil and upset

Vale Deputy Mary Lowe, who has campaigned on behalf of the residents, said she was very "satisfied" with the outcome.

She said: "The neighbours will be able to get on with their lives after three years of an awful lot of turmoil and upset, being bounced in and out of temporary accommodation."

One resident said: "Everybody's happy with the prices and we've all agreed to go."

A move to demolish four derelict properties owned by the company was rejected last year at an open planning meeting.

The majority of Guernsey's energy is imported via a cable link to Jersey and on to France, but fossil fuel is burnt on-island for generation.