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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY G.C.L. BAUDAINS OF ST. CLEMENT
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 15th JANUARY 2013
Question
Would the Minister confirm that planting and other measures were to have been used to mitigate the unsightliness of the new incinerator and, if so, would he explain why this has not yet been done given that the last reason for delay given by his department (over a year ago) was that it was the wrong season?
Would the Minister further advise what action, if any, will be taken to screen the rusty containers and what seems to be a huge white plastic sheet that have appeared in recent times and when will this take place?
Answer
Approximately 5,000 trees and shrubs were planted on the mound to the East of the Energy from Waste Plant during the autumn and winter of 2011/2012 as a requirement of the overall development. Due to the exposure of the site to South and South Westerly winds and the closeness to the sea, establishing trees in the area is extremely challenging as they are repeatedly subject to strong winds and salt damage. Because of these conditions, the planting of 'Standard' trees was not possible and instead the trees were planted as transplants (approximately 50 cm's tall) rather than anything bigger. As a result it will be some time before the trees and shrubs mature and become fully noticeable.
As expected, many of the trees have suffered from the harsh conditions of the site and some trees have not survived. During the winter of 2013 more trees will be planted to replace the ones that did not survive.
The shipping containers are being used to store asbestos which has been stock piled over the last 10 years. Transport and Technical Services submitted a planning application two years ago for the transfer of the asbestos to a sealed pit at La Collette and the subsequent disposal of the containers. Unfortunately this application is still awaiting a decision by the Planning Minister. In the mean time there are no plans to carry out any screening of the containers.
The "white plastic sheet" is part of the lining system which lines the inside of the ash cells used to deposit incinerator ash. The particular cell where this lining is visible will have the sides raised to increase its capacity by July of this year which should screen it from view.