EXPANSION of La Gigoulande Quarry has been overwhelmingly rejected by States Members, following a successful amendment to the Bridging Island Plan.
Environment Minister John Young’s proposal to expand the site into adjacent field MY966 was set out in the original draft document last year. The quarry is situated at the top of St Peter’s Valley and operated by Granite Products.
The potential extension of the facility has faced stiff opposition from local politicians and residents, with Senator Kristina Moore lodging an amendment to oppose this.
Her amendment was backed by 40 Members on Thursday, with five voting against. Senator Moore echoed the words of the Jersey Farmers Union that it was ‘one of the best fields for growing on the Island’.
And St Peter Deputy Rowland Huelin queried: ‘Why are we being asked to rezone prime agricultural land without far more detail?’
St Peter and St Mary representatives highlighted the impact on those near the quarry, including the long-established Greenhills Country Hotel.
Independent planning inspectors had backed the expansion, saying the alternative of importing raw materials would probably double prices and create a high carbon footprint, while Deputy Young raised concerns about the availability of material for the construction industry in future.
