Work starts on new Dairy

06/07/2009

  

Work starts on new Dairy

 

A new era in the history Jersey’s Dairy Industry begins today as work starts to construct a new purpose built dairy in Trinity.

 

The new dairy will be much more efficient and environmentally friendly, and will be close to the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (and World Jersey Cattle Bureau) in the heart of the countryside. It will feature all the latest state-of the-art equipment, which will help to open up export markets. It is being built on a designated commercial site which is within the “Built-up Area”, as defined in the 2002 Island Plan. The site is being leased from the States on a long-term arrangement (99 years with an option for a further 45).

 

The former Jersey Dairy site at Five Oaks has been purchased by Dandara, who plan to develop new homes there. The sale contract for the existing Dairy site was passed by the Royal Court on Friday 3^rd July; on the same day the Court also registered the lease for the land on which to build the new Dairy.

 

Proceeds from the sale will cover both the costs of constructing the new dairy, as well as clearing historic debts.

 

 

 

Jersey Dairy’s Managing Director, Eamon Fenlon commented: “The move to Trinity is a crucial step in protecting the future of the Island’s Dairy Industry, by giving it a firm base for regeneration. The current dairy has served us well, but it is now reaching the point where it will become out of date and a barrier to future growth, particularly in the export market. The new dairy will provide a highly efficient and environmentally friendly production centre, at zero cost to the public or dairy farmers. By clearing the burden of debt from Jersey Dairy, an obstacle to future success is removed”.

 

“This has been a long process, with the initial decision to move taken in 2004, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at the Diary, led by the Jersey Milk Marketing Board Chairman Andrew Le Gallais, as well senior officers within the States, for their support, commitment and hard work in bringing it to fruition”.

 

Work on the new dairy is expected to continue over the next 10 to 12 months, and will be managed by a company called TSL Projects Ltd., who specialize in constructing these types of facilities. Various sub-contracts will be performed by local suppliers, and Jersey Enterprise is working with TSL to achieve this.

 

The current dairy will continue its operations while the new facility is being built, to ensure that there is no disruption to production.

 

 

 

“Our production will continue as normal at the current Dairy throughout the construction period, and we won’t be switching our operations to the new site until it is absolutely ready”, continued Eamon Fenlon. “We are thoroughly looking forward to moving into our new home which will be simpler, cheaper and more efficient to use”.

 

A static display showing the agreed plans of the new Dairy will be on show at the site itself.

 

 

The following is a timeline tracking the main milestones in the Dairy move:

 

Ø      1966 – The Dairy opens at Five Oaks;

Ø      2004 – It is agreed to move to Howard David Farm at Trinity;

Ø      2007 – A feasibility study is conducted;

Ø      2008 (April) – Planning permission is given;

Ø      2008 (July) – The States approve an abrogation to the covenant governing the use of land at land at Howard Davis Farm, and the creation of a new Trust to honour the wishes of the benefactor;

Ø      2009 (Feb) – The Howard David Farm site is cleared

Ø      2009 (May) – A presentation is made to producers and to the JMMB, which agrees unanimously to go ahead with the move;

Ø      2009 (July) – Sale contract for the Five Oaks site, and lease for the Trinity Site go through the Royal Court;

Ø      2009 (July) – Work begins.