States asked to approve extension plan for Longue Hougue

The current site is used to manage inert waste material from construction and demolition projects such as rubble, stone and earth, but it is expected to be full in around three years.

In the search for a follow-on site, 50 potential solutions were looked and pointed to development at Longue Hougue as the best option.

This would involve constructing a new breakwater, extending the reclamation site southward by around 500 metres.

It would link at the shore at Spur Point, enclosing an area that could be filled with inert waste. This could be available for use in 2024 and has an estimated capacity for 15 years' infilling.

A comprehensive study of the potential environmental impacts has been carried out and where significant adverse effects were identified, mitigation measures have also been proposed to remove or lessen the impact.

A joint policy letter from the States' Trading Supervisory Board and the Environment and Infrastructure committee is now seeking approval to begin the planning process.

As like with any proposed development, an opportunity will be provided for all parties to put forward representations or to raise any objections.

However, the new site, known as Longue Hougue South, would only be one element of an overall strategy for managing construction waste, which States members are also being asked to approve.

This will be to encourage measures to reduce and recycle materials.

Guernsey Waste has already awarded a contract to a local company to recover and recycle inert material at Longue Hougue for re-use in other projects.

The Development & Planning Authority is also working with the construction industry on implementing waste management plans for major developments which encourage material to be recycled within a building project.

These measures are said to extend the life of the current site and any future inert waste facility.

However, there will still be a long-term requirement to dispose of some material from the local construction industry, as a large portion is unsuitable for re-use.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Longue Hougue South was carried out over 18 months and comprised more than 12 in-depth studies, including coastal and marine processes, traffic, air quality, noise and vibration, archaeology, human health, visual effects and marine and terrestrial ecology.

It concluded that the most significant effects would be the negative visual impact in the immediate vicinity of the development due to the loss of the current coastal area.

There might also be an adverse impact on the visual landscape but suitable planting is thought to alleviate this.

The development is also said to have some positive impacts, such as reduced flood risk and improved coastal defence.

• Members of the project team will be available to answer questions at a public drop-in on Friday 6 March from 12.30pm to 7pm and Saturday 7 March from 9am to 4pm at Beau Sejour.

• The full EIA and summary can be found at www.gov.gg/inertwaste

The States' Trading and Supervisory Board is also carrying out an EIA on a potential land reclamation project to the east of the QE2 Marina at St Peter Port harbour.

This is part of a separate programme, looking at long-term harbour requirements and possible port development.

Some inert waste material might be suitable for use in such a project, but it is not considered a long-term solution.

That programme also considers whether freight operations could be relocated away from St Peter Port harbour to free up space in the centre of town for other uses.