Longue Hougue is the site favoured for the new waste plant.

PLANS for a 70,000-tonne waste plant are inappropriate, according to an independent group set up to scrutinise the tender process.

The Waste Disposal People’s Panel has condemned proposals going to the States with eight shortlisted companies to build a plant and instead recommends an alternative 20,000-tonne micro-incinerator.

It says the existing tendering process is fundamentally flawed, something vehemently denied by Public Services, which says it is carrying out the instructions of the States.

The panel’s report says the current plans are inappropriate on the grounds of cost, capacity and environmental impact because:

• the capacity is based on inaccurate projections
• the cost is prohibitive and unnecessary, adding significantly to the tax burden and also resulting in a major long-term financial liability for the States.
• the quantities of residue produced constitute a serious environmental concern
• gate revenue needs would strongly discourage development of environmentally-sustainable waste management practices such as reduction and recycling.