States votes to allow stockpiling of inert waste

Representatives from the construction industry warned without a place to store rubble some projects would have to stop

Politicians have voted to allow inert building waste to be stockpiled at Longue Hougue.

Earlier this year Guernsey's Development and Planning Authority rejected an application to store the waste at the site.

The States' Trading Supervisory Board (STSB), which appealed against the rejection, warned "the island may soon have nowhere to dispose of residual inert waste".

The move to overturn the decision was supported by 30 deputies, with seven abstaining, and allows for a stockpile of up to 9m (29.5ft) high and covering an area of 18,885 sq m (22,586 sq yds).

Environment and Infrastructure (E&I) Committee President Lindsay de Sausmarez said stockpiling inert waste at Longue Hougue was "the only viable option to deal with the immediate and pressing situation".

The current storage location for inert waste at Longue Hougue is almost full and a long-term solution has yet to be agreed.

Lots of demolition waste is recycled but inert waste such as materials like tarmac, concrete and ceramics cannot be recycled and have been disposed of at Longue Hougue since 1995.

Business leaders have previously criticised the move to not allow States Trading Supervisory Board to stockpile rubble at the site.

Some deputies suggested the waste could be stored at Les Vardes Quarry.

E&I is set to bring proposals to the States before the end of this term on the future of Les Vardes Quarry.