This comes as Lee Van Katwyk has expressed concerns about the project and has even voiced the prospect of bringing a petition to the States that could block it.
The project, approved by the States in principle in May, would see 76 acres of land created at the east end of St Sampson’s Harbour near Vale Castle through the large-scale disposal of inert waste such as concrete, bricks, and stone from construction and demolition.
The land would then be available for future development with initial plans already put forward for around 600 homes as well as commercial and leisure facilities including a restaurant, bathing pool and nursery.
Deputy Van Katwyk joined the States in July, and has outlined his concerns about the Vale project, even to the point of threatening to reopen debate on the island’s inert waste policy with a ‘full and truthful picture of the actual plans and risks’.
‘My personal concerns include the loss of our coastline's remaining integrity and intrinsic value, a lack of clarity to the extent of the development by the previous assembly when signing off on the project and the contamination of proposed soil for the land reclamation,’ he said.
‘There is also a lack of suitable data to inform an environmental impact assessment – wave buoys need to be installed and collecting tidal data for at least a year.’
If the reclamation went ahead it is expected to take at least 12 years to fill the area with waste with the estimated cost of around £38m. largely to be funded through disposal charges.
The project is also intended to provide coastal flood defences and support the regeneration of the Bridge area in Guernsey.
Deputy Van Katwyk said he was still considering his position on the development and whether he would pursue changes, but he was aware of considerable public concern and not much support.
‘Conversely, there are also many positive aspects to the GDA’s vision,’ he said.
‘However, despite the agency having been green-lit in all but planning, we have yet to see the forecast of economic benefits. The entire picture must be put before the current assembly before any loads of contaminated soil are dumped next door to a popular swimming spot and in the front garden of the most impressive Guernsey heritage sites.’
The deputy said that following his decision to speak out on the project, he was aware that his ability to handle the semi-judicial role of vice-president of the DPA had been questioned.
‘First and foremost, I serve the people of Guernsey,’ he said.
‘Though being a Bordeaux boy by birth and to this day, I am deeply protective of all my island’s spectacular areas of natural beauty – I would be just as concerned if this were planned for the corner of Fermain, between Fairy Ring and Portelet, or around Rousse.’
He added that he would always look with a keen objective eye at any and all matters that cross his desk.
‘As such, I will continue to engage the public on these plans while eagerly awaiting the Guernsey Development Agency’s economic growth forecast and environmental impact assessment in relation to the project,’ he said.
‘If this should come to an open planning meeting, I stand ready to weigh the benefits and negatives of the Black Rock building plan with an objective eye focused on Island Development Plan policies.’
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