Guernsey's horticultural leaders are hoping that the future of the industry will be partly preserved through the growing of herbs for use in medical formulas, but there is trouble ahead.

A former vice-president of the Island Development Committee, Dave Barrett, is seeking to take the committee to court for approving an application on greenbelt land at Sandpiper (Nurseries) Ltd, without holding a planning inquiry.

Healthy Direct Group is planning to create a new venture, called Guernsey Hydroponics to make raw materials used in its products.

The herbs will be exported to the UK and to other pharmaceutical companies in Europe and the UK and in Europe.

The recent Horticultural Economic Report from the Committee for Horticultural has stressed the need to attract investment in plant production, including pharmaceuticals in a bid to keep the industry in a vibrant state.

Sandpiper Nursery which was developed for the production of tomatoes and which contains modern and old glass has been standing idle for several years.

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