Wednesday 13 June 2012
The bring bank site at the former St Martin's Garage is to close at the end of this month.
The parish's main collection point has been at the garage since the previous site at Manor Stores was closed in 2010. Since then, Public Services has been looking for a suitable location for another bring bank facility. However it has now been asked to vacate the temporary site by the end of June.
The Department is in discussion with a property owner over a possible temporary facility until kerbside collection of household recyclables is introduced next year. However planning permission will be required, which means it would not be ready when the current site closes.
A parish-wide collection service was also considered as an interim measure. However to provide just a basic system, on a trial basis for the next 12 months, would cost more than £150,000.
Public Services Minister Deputy Paul Luxon said the Department had explored all the available options, but did not feel it could justify spending this amount ahead of the full roll-out of a kerbside scheme. In the interim, parishioners will need to use one of the other bring bank main facilities, such as at Salerie Corner or Waitrose in the Rohais.
Deputy Luxon said:
"I live in St Martin's myself so I can appreciate the frustration if there is not going to be a recycling site in the village. However having looked at all our options, the simple fact is locations that could be suitable in terms of size and access are few and far between in the parish. Despite our best efforts we have not been able to secure one yet"
The Department originally drew up a shortlist of around 20 potential locations. In 2010, it applied for permission to install a permanent bring bank facility adjacent to the original site at Manor Stores, with a separate entrance from the nearby Le Hurel. That application was refused due to concerns over additional traffic in that road.
A subsequent request for a temporary site at Commerce & Employment's premises in Longue Rue was also turned down last year after residents voiced concerns regarding vehicle access.
Other efforts to find a site, including direct approaches to a number of property owners and through the media, have to date been unsuccessful.
Deputy Luxon said the Department was still open to ideas.
"We are grateful to owners Comprop for allowing us the use of the St Martin's Garage site for the past 18 months, while we looked for another location. Even at this late stage, we will consider any suggestions from parishioners which could provide a stop gap".
The introduction of island-wide collections of household recyclables is part of the new waste strategy, which also includes a review of the bring bank provisions.
Deputy Luxon said it was expected that bring banks would still be provided for islanders who wanted to use them. However some of the current sites could close, and facilities be concentrated in fewer locations.
