Planners say inert waste stockpile should be approved

Saturday 13 July 2024

A mound of inert waste will be piled high at Longue Hougue if politicians agree with planners that the project should go ahead.

The stockpile will reach a maximum height roughly level with Mont Crevel tower, 16m above Guernsey ground datum and nice metres above the surface, graded up in increments, and cover a total area of 18,885m2.

It is needed because politicians have failed to agree on a permanent solution of what to do with inert waste - things like concrete and rubble - with options including reclamation into Belle Greve Bay and using Les Vardes Quarry still being assessed.

This has been sent to Longue Hougue as part of the reclamation project since 1995, but that is due to be filled this year.

Guernsey Waste has applied for the stockpile, which will go to an open planning meeting for deputies on the Development & Planning Authority to have the final say on Monday 22 July.

Planners have recommended that it is approved, with conditions that the site has to stop accepting inert waste within three years.

It would then have to be cleared three years after that so that it does not impact how the site is used in the future. It is earmarked for industrial or storage and distribution development.

Before the stockpile is created, the three-metre high bund on the site will be extended by 366m, if approval is given.

The application also includes security fencing.

As part of consultation on the proposal, the Guernsey Development Agency - which has been tasked by the States with delivering projects between Longue Hougue and the Bridge - raised concerns about part of the stockpile's location because, it said, it would interfere with its vision for St Sampsons Harbour.

Plans were revised to address those concerns.

The Open Planning Meeting takes place at 3pm on Monday 22 July in the Port Soif Room, Level 2, Sir Charles Frossard House.