Reclamation at harbour idea is welcomed as a constructive one

Deputies Barry Paint and Neil Inder are lobbying for a three-phase project to be pursued after Policy & Resources knocked back a funding request to carry out an environmental impact assessment on the use of two small quarries in the Vale.

The two committees looking for a solution, States’ Trading Supervisory Board and Environment & Infrastructure, did not shortlist the harbour.

They were directed by the States to carry out an EIA alongside their preferred choice of Longue Hougue south – a project which is now costed at around £42m. instead of the initial £30m. that was indicated in December – with P&R given delegated authority to approve funding for that assessment.

Policy & Resources president Gavin St Pier said in the States that any delegation of authority does not compel the authority to be exercised if the responsible committee does not consider it to be in the best interests of the States.

‘The decision not to authorise the expenditure on the two quarries was made based on clear information by States’ committees working on this matter as follows

‘1, both the STSB and Environment & Infrastructure concluded that the preferred way forward is the Longue Hougue south site in terms of its availability, operational life and best practical environmental option credentials balanced with affordability;

2, both of the quarry sites identified were sub-optimal, together providing only three years’ capacity from Q1 2023; and 3, the extant resolution required simultaneous environmental impact assessments which seems unnecessary given the overwhelming evidence that one site will likely be a much stronger contender,’ he said.

‘In short, the committee made an evidenced-based decision, and one that recognised that we have a duty to consider carefully how we spend public money. There is no requirement for us to report further to the States.

‘I should add, though, that the creative input from Deputies Inder and Paint to question alternatives has been constructive, and I welcome their constructive challenge.

‘The president of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board will be making a statement in the November States meeting, which the committee welcomes as the appropriate next step.’

STSB and E&I would have to return with a States report if they wanted to pursue the £300,000 funding needed for the EIA for the Vale quarries.

They were instructed to do the parallel review after an amendment led by Deputies Emily Yerby and Jennifer Merrett.

Deputy Inder said that he was satisfied that Deputy St Pier had referenced the inert waste/harbour development position.