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"Les Vardes is now the best long-term solution for inert waste"

Tuesday 10 August 2021

"Les Vardes is now the best long-term solution for inert waste"

Tuesday 10 August 2021


Inert waste should be sent to Les Vardes Quarry once Ronez relocates its stone plant, according to the States' senior committee, in light of new information that could save Spur Point.

Longue Hougue South is currently earmarked by the States as the island's next inert waste site.

More than 100,000 tonnes of waste is generated each year by local construction and demolition activity, which is expected to max out the current Longue Hougue facility between July 2023 and July 2024. 

In a letter of comment on E&I's proposals for the future of quarrying, the Policy & Resources Committee says there is an opportunity to rethink the States' current policy. 

P&R states there would be less environmental impact should Les Vardes Quarry be used as the next inert waste site, rather than Longue Hougue South, which is home to the endangered scaly cricket, a hotbed of marine life and a valuable eco-system. 

scaly_crickets_spur_point_nature_Guernsey.png

Pictured: Longue Hougue South, also known as Spur Point, is home to scaly crickets, maerl, eel grass and other marine biology. It is also the site of St Peter Port Gabbro, a unique rock formation. 

Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache said the States should not be afraid to revisit its previous decision in the light of new information.

"Given that the timelines for the exhaustion of Les Vardes Quarry and a new inert waste facility at Longue Hougue South (LHS) are now closely aligned, the Committee fails to understand how it could be possible to demonstrate that LHS is the Best Practical Environmental Option for inert waste management, especially when the negative impacts set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are also considered.

"The island’s circumstances have changed since the Assembly agreed to progress LHS and capacity at the current Longue Hougue void space has also improved as the fill rate slowed.

"Completion is now due to be between July 2023 and July 2024, resulting in less urgency to create a new facility and affording time for a re-set on policy to reflect the change in circumstances."

The topic will come up for debate when the States makes a decision on whether to move Ronez's quarrying operations to the Chouet Headland or to import all building aggregate in the future.

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