Plans for Vale quarries a concern for residents

States Trading Assets is investigating whether Guillotin and L’Epine quarries would be suitable for disposing of materials such as stone, rubble and soil.

Currently inert waste is disposed of at Longue Hougue land reclamation site, but that is expected to be full within five years. If these two quarries are used for inert waste, they would both be full within three years.

Residents said they were shocked to receive letters on Friday about the plans.

Mark and Tracy O’Connor have lived next to Guillotin quarry, which is just to the north of Bordeaux, for more than 10 years.

The edge of the quarry is less than 10 metres from their home.

‘We are worried there could be vibrations that could affect our foundations,’ Mr O’Connor said.

‘There will also be dust kicked up and we would not know what was going into our lungs.’

The couple said it was concerning that in the letter to residents the quarry’s name was spelt wrong and its location was marked incorrectly on the map.

Mr O’Connor said he understood that the States had looked at using the privately-owned quarry about 10 years ago, but consultants then had said it was not a suitable site.

In the States’ own analysis on the latest scheme it was noted that the quarry had a limited capacity for waste, and also that it was an important site for migrating ducks.

Mr O’Connor said they saw lots of birds and insects using the quarry habitat.

Up the road, closer to Beaucette Marina, is L’Epine quarry, which is currently used for waste storage by Guernsey Water.

Terry and Margaret Hockey live next to it.

As well as noise and dust, Mr Hockey said he was very concerned about large vehicle traffic, as the road leading to the quarry is a narrow Ruette Tranquilles.

‘A lot of people walk and cycle around here every day,’ he said.

‘The school bus stops at the end of the road and the children walk up. Personally I think it’s not safe.’

He noted that the move would also only be a stop-gap, lasting a few years, yet the quarry would be lost forever.

Mr Hockey said he was surprised by the move, as when Guernsey Water purchased the quarry, it was done to protect the water storage site from development.

He also noted that the quarry was important for wildlife.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, has been renting next door for 20 years.

‘We are really quiet around here and I don’t think this is the right place,’ she said.

‘It’s going to bring noisy traffic.’

Neighbour Christopher Storey has written a letter to Vale deputies, laying out residents’ concerns, in the hope the politicians can take action to protect the space.

Environmental impact assessments are set to be carried out on the sites and the findings are expected to be presented to the States next year.