DPA is hopeful it can find a solution to inert waste problem

Planners had recommended the States’ Trading Supervisory Board be allowed to create a temporary inert waste pyramid at Longue Hougue, while the States decided on a permanent solution.

But in a surprise move the DPA's political board rejected the proposals at an open planning meeting last week.

Also unusually the DPA has issued a statement after the meeting, detailing its thoughts on the fallout of their decision.

‘We share [STSB president] Deputy Roffey’s disappointment that the States has yet to find a solution for the disposal of inert waste,’ the authority said.

‘However, the fact that there was no opposition expressed to Guernsey Waste’s temporary stockpiling application does not remove the need for us to consider the application on policy grounds.

‘The reasons for the refusal of this application were outlined at the meeting and are now published online.

'We are still hopeful that a workable solution can be found and remain very willing to work constructively and collaboratively with the STSB to that end.’

The official decision notice has also been published, detailing the three reasons for the rejection.

One concern was the scale of the project.

‘Given the scale of the proposed development and the likely timeframes involved, the authority did not consider the proposal to be of a minor or inconsequential nature,’ it said, noting concern that this project could affect future Bridge developments.

The authority also refused the project on the grounds it was not a sustainable development.

The DPA board at the meeting were divided on the proposal, with president Victoria Oliver voting to defer it, Andrew Taylor supporting it, and John Dyke, Chris Blin and Sasha Kazantseva-Miller rejecting it.

Normally in situations like this refused applications could be appealed to the independent planning panel.

But as this is a States application, any appeal would need to go to the States.

Guernsey is set to run out of space for inert waste within months.