What progress has been made in identifying partnerships and alternative locations for the compost operation at La Collette

2.10   Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding alternatives to the compost operation at La Collette:

What progress, if any, has been made in identifying partnerships and alternative locations for the compost operation at La Collette?

Deputy G.W.J. de Faye (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):

I can confirm that 11 organisations or individuals have submitted expressions of interest in response to the public notice that went out and 18 potential sites were put forward within those expressions of interest. I can also confirm that the sites proposed include some which may be suitable for public reception and some which may be suitable for waste treatment. A site evaluation process is currently underway to review all of the potential sites against the expression of interest criteria. All the sites that pass this initial evaluation screening will then be considered against a more detailed sect of selection criteria during May. The results of the site evaluation are expected in June. However realistic, despite such an optimistic timescale, the earliest time that we can expect to see a replacement compost facility operational is likely to be early in 2009. I am, of course, aware of and share the Deputy 's concerns in relation to the inconvenience caused by the occasional odour problems being experienced by the public due to the current La Collette green waste operations. I can assure the public that the La Collette site is being managed to minimise their inconvenience but the site must remain an essential component of our waste management operations until a replacement can be provided.

1. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:

Some people may believe that there is concern about the Minister's actions, Sir; on the contrary I would like to applaud the Minister and his department for these recent initiatives which do go to the heart of the matter which is seeking to save the States an enormous potential amount of expenditure and set that into a saving that can be managed within the heart of the Island. In congratulating the Minister and his department in these recent initiatives can I take it then that there is now an underlining belief that the compost operation at La Collette will be eventually moved away from that area into the countryside and thereby saving us the millions of pounds that were projected in continuing to operate down there?

Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:

I thank the Deputy very much for his kind remarks, Sir, but I would not want to get his hopes up too early. Yes, we are looking at alternative sites and I can say that the department is very grateful for the personal input of Deputy Le Claire and also the co-operation we have had from the Environment Scrutiny Panel. But at this stage I cannot give any final determination on where precisely the composting facility will be sited.

2. Deputy J.B. Fox:

The Minister in his answer refers to a site, although I appreciate he is still going through the merits of the various proposals that have been brought forward. Is the thinking at this time that in fact a site can be identified or will there be more than one site that might be necessary to fulfil an alternative operation to La Collette?

Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:

If there is a divergence of view between the department and the Environment Scrutiny Panel

working with Deputy Le Claire it would be on the number of what might be described as industrial

composting facilities that would be appropriate for the Island to run. The department is currently of the view that we should have one central composting facility of an enclosed variety, however we do agree and are grateful for the suggestion from the Environment Scrutiny Panel and Deputy Le Claire for the idea of a number of sites which would be used for reception facilities. This would be a much more convenient way for the public and those people who are professional contractors to get rid of their green waste without having to go all the way to a particular located central facility wherever that facility may be located.

3. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:

Recently the media was reporting upon a farmer who was operating his own composting operation which was deemed to be a planning issue and therefore was being advised by the Planning Department. I wonder if the Minister and his department have approached that farmer in respect of the desire on his behalf to compost his own material for his own use and whether or not an approach could be because this certainly was not one of the ones that we visited when we went to go and find people. I just wonder whether or not that individual has been contacted by the Minister or his department, if he knows which one I am speaking about. I do not want to mention his name.

Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:

I regret that I know no more about this particular matter other than what I have gleaned from the local media. I understand this is essentially a matter for Planning. I believe it could well be a change of use with respect to that field and the situation is somewhat dictated by the recent designation of a Site of Special Interest on the site. To what extent the Transport and Technical Services Department be consulted on this matter I do not know at this stage but I will certainly look into it.

4. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:

The issue, Sir,  is that I am wondering whether or not there might be an opportunity for the department and the farmer to maybe look at providing another reception area or another facility perhaps.

Deputy G.W.J. de Faye:

There may indeed be an opportunity available, Sir, but I think my own understanding of this issue is this is very much a private matter and it relates to land that itself is linked to a family that is in, effectively, a horticultural business therefore I am not entirely sure how appropriate it is to interfere in that particular procedure.