Was any really serious consideration given to a cheaper Bellozanne plant?

From Don Austin.

FOR many compelling reasons – already well aired in these columns – the proposed new incinerator at La Collette looms as a disturbingly unhappy choice.

It will be situated to windward on a landmass subject to prevailing westerly airstreams, so I would anticipate future occasional air pollution and odour problems, particularly in the eastern parishes, with the only solution being a new and taller chimney.

Even at this eleventh hour I wonder whether any really serious consideration was given to siting a less expensive plant at Bellozanne in preference to the gigantic affair proposed for La Collette.

I have never heard of Bellozanne experiencing odour problems due to stack emissions; but it has occurred to me that if there is a change of heart the opportunity might then be taken to investigate the advantages of enclosing the existing liquid waste processing tanks, thus making it possible to vent them skywards through, or in association with, a common stack.

This could very largely free the district from the all-prevailing smell, and I would not have thought that the chemical, physical and engineering issues surrounding such a proposal were insuperable. In fact, such an arrangement may already be in operation elsewhere.

The merits, or otherwise, of such a proposal can only be assessed by those with the appropriate knowledge and experience, but should it prove a valid option and less expensive than La Collette, then it can only be good for the Island and Constable Simon Crowcroft’s proposed public inquiry may well save us from a very expensive mistake.

Merestones,

Parcq de l’Oeillère,

St Brelade.