That is the assessment of local bee expert Barry Wells, pictured, co-founder of the Pollinator Project, before the States debates the future of Guernsey’s aggregate supply.
‘While modern quarrying does factor in environmental concerns and a bit of off-setting measures, if quarrying at Chouet goes ahead, there’s still a risk of losing important pollinating insects including rare bees that are probably only found on this headland,’ he said.
The bee species found on the headland include the Potter flower bee (anthophora retusa), which is now extremely rare in the UK, but widespread at Chouet, and the orange-legged furrow bee (lasioglossum xanthopus), which is very rare and declining in the UK.
The Environment & Infrastructure committee has decided – by a majority – to recommend the establishment of a new quarry at the Vale headland, once the current quarry at Les Vardes has been exhausted, which is expected to be in 2023.
In its policy letter, which will be considered by States members later this year, the committee concedes that the plan would result in ‘unavoidable localised ecological and environmental impacts’ but argues that this can be offset by measures elsewhere to enhance biodiversity.
It also argues that the alternative – switching to importation – will lead to a significantly higher carbon footprint for the local construction industry, which currently consumes in the region of 110,000 tonnes of aggregate each year.
E&I president Lindsay De Sausmarez has said she would like to see off-setting measures – known as biodiversity net gain – being focused on the immediate area as far as possible. In particular, she hopes to see the perimeter of the site, along the public coastal footpaths, preserved, because this is where the greatest diversity of species is found.
Mr Wells concurs. ‘I think that if we can preserve the habitat around the periphery of the headland, which should be possible, these insects will survive,’ he said.
However, he said he was concerned that the impact on pollinators may be difficult to mitigate if this precaution is not taken.
‘Some people naively think bees will just move, but they live at that site because it’s best for them and if machinery destroys their nests, that may wipe out an already precious bee population,’ he said.
He said he hoped the Pollinator Project would have the opportunity to work with the committee and with Ronez, which owns 30% of the area designated for excavation and is the island’s only remaining quarrying firm, ‘to protect those areas vital for wildlife’.
If States members approve the new quarry, a planning application will be required which will have to include an environmental impact assessment.
The date of the States debate will be decided by members during next week’s meeting, when they discuss a schedule which is due to be submitted by Policy & Resources by the end of this week.
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