Growing problems at the incinerator

Thursday 28 August 2014

Islanders living out east will have a long wait before they get a better view than Jersey’s incinerator at La Collette.

When the controversial incinerator got the Planning go-ahead, the States promised to "screen it" with trees so that it wouldn't be so much of an eyesore. But although the Transport and Technical Services department started planting around 5,000 trees and shrubs at the end of 2011 to hide it, some lost their battle with the elements and have failed to take root - and now they say it will be ten years before the trees are big enough to block out the incinerator.

A spokesman from Transport and Technical Services department said establishing trees in the area is extremely challenging as they are repeatedly subjected to strong winds and salt wind damage.

Some had to re-planted last winter and the majority of the trees are now growing. Some are over two metres tall but the spokesman said it will be some time before the planting becomes noticeable and they offer any screening effect.

Because of the harsh conditions they planted the trees as transplants standing at around 50cm tall.

The rate at which they all grow will depend on the weather but with good growing conditions TTS say they should reach about six metres high within a decade.