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Guernsey's construction industry will be affected by a "lack of cohesive policy making" and "dysfunctional governance" warns the Chamber of Commerce.
The professional body has spoken out after it was left "deeply frustrated" over the Development and Planning Authority's decision to reject Guernsey Waste’s plans to temporarily stockpile surplus builder's waste at Longue Hougue.
The decision, made at an open planning meeting earlier this week, means the future of what to do with inert waste is in chaos - after years of inaction already.
Guernsey Waste was told its plans to stockpile at Longue Hougue were being refused, amid confusion over what the decision actually meant among the political members of the DPA who made the decision.
Pictured: The decision was made earlier this week. Read more HERE.
Express reporter Kit Hannah, who was at the planning meeting, wrote that the plan had seemed "uncontroversial" with no public comments were lodged against it, but three of the DPA's members - Deputies Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Chris Blin and John Dyke – all expressed concern during the meeting over the length of time the waste would occupy part of the site and the impact of double handling the waste.
They all voiced support for an alternative idea which would see inert waste used to increase the height of the surface of the reclaimed area while a permanent solution was sought by politicians. There was confusion among the DPA members though, with a lack of understanding whether the application could be deferred if these major changes were subsequently made.
In the end, Guernsey Waste was sent back to the drawing board with no permanent site agreed for where inert waste should be dumped, once the current void at Longue Hougue is full. That is expected to happen within months.
The Chamber of Commerce has reflected on that decision, and has now said that the construction industry - and building new housing in particular - will be affected by thus decision.
"We are deeply frustrated by the lack of cohesive policy making and the dysfunctional governance that has led to this point, to continue following this pattern of indecision will have impacts - most notably to the construction industry, at a time when housing needs to be a priority," said Stephen Rouxel, President Chamber of Commerce.
"Perhaps, the crux of this particular issue is that the DPA is an independent panel implementing statutory policy, appointing politicians to this role puts them in an impossible position as they can be perceived to have discretion when they don't and shouldn't have discretion in decision making.
"We need the various committees to start to collaborate, make decisions and move things forward within this term."
The Chamber of Commerce is not the only ones concerned about the impact of the planning decision.
Deputy Peter Roffey, who has political oversight for Guernsey Waste as President of the STSB, said the debacle over inert waste “is probably the worst ‘comedy of errors’ and self-inflicted wound I have ever seen”.
He indicated that he would prefer to “instantly appeal this myopic decision” as there is insufficient time to prepare a new application before the existing void at Longue Hougue is filled and the reclamation project completed.
Even if the States hadn’t failed to agree a future permanent location for inert waste “significant temporary stockpiling” would be unavoidable in the interim period, he added.
Guernsey Waste officials met earlier this week to discuss the next steps with an announcement expected once a decision is made.
Exasperation at delays to inert waste plan with appeal touted
Inert waste plans in chaos as DPA reject scheme
Inert waste could be piled nine-metres high at Longue Hougue
Relocating stockpiled inert waste could cost between £400k - £900k
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