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A Local Planning Brief is being drawn up at Longue Hougue South, as part of plans to expand the reclamation area into an inert waste site.
A specialist firm, LUC, has been commissioned by the D&PA to draw up an initial draft LPB, with the States saying that no local firm is able to provide the same level of experience as the UK company in developing planning policy, coastal modelling and environmental impact assessments.
Back in April, the States directed the Development & Planning Authority to produce an LPB for the area immediately south of the current Longue Hougue site, with a view to disposing of leftover materials from local construction and demolition projects, such as rubble and stone, which are classed as ‘inert waste’.
Turning the area into an inert waste facility would involve building a new breakwater by extending the reclamation site southward by around 500 metres. It would link to the shore around Spur Point, which would be infilled with inert waste.
A States spokesman confirmed that representatives from LUC visited the island earlier this month.
"This made use of the Island’s Critical Worker travel exemption from isolation, so had to adhere to the strict rules regarding ensuring they maintained a safe distance at all times. They attended the existing Longue Hougue land reclamation site, and then the site of the potential new facility at Longue Hougue South.
Pictured: Local conservation groups are keen to protect the endangered scaly cricket, which has a thriving population at Spur Point.
"They also visited a number of surrounding vantage points, from which views of the site are available. They were joined (from a safe and compliant physical distance) at Longue Hougue South by representatives from La Société Guernesiaise, who were able to provide further local insight into some of the issues that may inform the Local Planning Brief and its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). LUC have also met with other stakeholders via videolink."
The project has been met with deep reservations by La Société and by others who want to preserve Spur Point and some of its unique characteristics, including Le Gabbro rock formation and the endangered scaly cricket habitat.
An environmental impact assessment for the site has already been carried out, looking at the various potential marine and geological impacts of the work.
D&PA President Deputy Victoria Oliver said these studies will help inform LUC’s work, which will "scrutinise the existing evidence" and "look for community input" before producing the draft LPB.
Once that is published by the D&PA, a full planning inquiry will take place next year, with the planning inspector’s report presented to the States for approval.
“The preparation of the Local Planning Brief follows the States’ direction and will consider the principle of developing a new inert waste facility at this location," said Deputy Oliver. "This will be based on robust and credible evidence and allow opportunities for the public to engage in the process at an early stage."
Pictured: Spur Point is home to rich and diverse marine life.
"I can reassure the community that this is not a fait accompli, all the evidence will be reviewed and independently tested in preparing this brief and there will be consultation before any decisions are made.”
Currently, residual inert waste is disposed of at the Longue Hougue Reclamation Site. This site is expected to be full in less than three years.
It is estimated that, if approved, Longue Hougue South would have capacity for more than 11⁄2 million tonnes of inert waste, and would be expected to take between 11 and 15 years to fill.
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