> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/the-weekly-briefing-from-the-quarry-46/ - Published: 2026-05-13T08:12:41.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-13T16:52:55.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing ### **Dig Deeper** [‘Forever chemical’ clean-up operation to cost £16.5m as containment fails and regulatory standards breached![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/icon/The-Quarry-logo-1-1-410.png)The Quarry - Independent news from GuernseyNick Mann![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/thumbnail/pfos_airport.png)](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-airport-seeks-16-5m-to-clean-up-15-000-tonnes-of-forever-chemical-contaminated-soil-as-containment-fails/) - More than 15,000 tonnes of soil contaminated with PFOS 'forever chemicals' stored at Guernsey Airport since 2012 will be shipped to UK for treatment if States approve £16.5m cleanup in June - PFOS levels in monitoring wells at times vastly outstrip regulatory limit indicating the containment membrane has failed - The contaminated soil, excavated from areas including a 2012 freight plane crash site, was stored in bunded cells that were only intended as temporary solution - Soil will undergo 'soil washing' process in UK using abrasives and carbon filtration, with sand and gravel reused and residual material disposed of in hazardous waste sites - Officials say there is no immediate health risk as the location is outside drinking water catchments, though monitoring shows chemicals have escaped the containment ## In other news... ### [Tax reform decision in sight as sub-committee recommends no major changes to corporate regime and pressing on with GST-plus instead](https://www.thequarry.media/tax-reform-decision-in-sight-as-sub-committee-recommends-no-major-changes-to-corporate-regime-and-pressing-on-with-gst-plus-instead/) Published 13 May 2026 - Sub-committee says fundamental corporate tax reform would present considerable economic risk and cannot deliver sufficient revenues - P&R will make its final recommendation on 8 June - It has ask committees to draft up major service cuts to show what the options are - Introduction of annual charge for vehicle ownership and luxury car surcharge being worked on ### [Guernsey property prices return to growth with 4.1% annual rise](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-property-prices-return-to-growth-with-4-1-annual-rise/) Published 12 May 2026 - Average property purchase price reached £604,094 in Q1 2026, up 4.1% annually and 18.5% over five years, marking a return to growth after declines in 2024–2025 - Time to sale extended to 284 days average, up 37 days year-on-year, whilst the gap between asking and achieved prices widened to 8.4% from 3.0% in 2021 - 163 Local Market transactions completed in Q1 2026, with properties between £300,000–£699,999 accounting for 64% of sales - Average rental prices reached £2,170 per month, rising 4.9% annually and 44.9% over five years, outpacing general inflation - Island's housing stock grew by net 45 units in Q1 2026, with 112 units added over the past year through new builds, subdivisions and conversions ### [Solar panels required on all new housing and commercial developments](https://www.thequarry.media/solar-panels-required-on-all-new-housing-and-commercial-developments/) Published 12 May 2026 - Solar panels or alternative renewable energy technology now mandatory on all new housing and commercial developments in Guernsey - Decision made by Development & Planning Authority following States-approved Electricity Strategy from 2023 - Alternatives include non-roof mounted solar products, air source heat pumps and battery storage - Sites will be assessed case-by-case to ensure suitable renewable energy provision - Measure aims to boost on-island electricity generation and support energy security targets ### [Chamber raises concerns over social security reforms in GST+ package](https://www.thequarry.media/chamber-raises-concerns-over-social-security-reforms-in-gst-package/) Published 12 May 2026 - Guernsey Chamber of Commerce raises concerns over social security reforms in Government's GST+ tax package - Reforms show net £5m but comprise £17m additional contributions offset by £12m reductions, majority falling on employers - Employer contribution rates to rise from 7.1% to 8.0%, plus 2.5% on income between Upper Earnings Limit and £250k - Chamber calls for clear breakdown of costs, transparency on new versus planned measures, and full business impact assessment - Member briefing event scheduled for 21st May at Camilla's Café to discuss proposals with Government representatives ### [Guernsey victim support charity calls for compensation scheme in five-year expansion plan](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-victim-support-charity-calls-for-compensation-scheme-in-five-year-expansion-plan/) Published 11 May 2026 - Guernsey Victim Support and Witness Service publishes five-year plan calling for island's first victim compensation scheme, describing current absence as placing Guernsey among 'only places in the world' without such provision - Charity reports demand has increased significantly alongside case complexity, with sexual violence services already exceeding current provision despite recent pilot expansion - Strategic plan identifies five priority areas: victims' code of rights, compensation scheme, sexual abuse services expansion, financial fraud services and specialist support for child victims - Case studies demonstrate impact including recovery of £176,000 for fraud victims, though victim died from stress-related health decline; sexual abuse survivor praised service as 'lifesaver' - Implementation depends on securing adequate funding amid ongoing financial pressures, with charity noting 'securing appropriate resources remains an ongoing challenge' ### [Islanders invited to shape vision for Guernsey's territorial waters](https://www.thequarry.media/islanders-invited-to-shape-vision-for-guernseys-territorial-waters/) Published 11 May 2026 - Islanders invited to contribute views on use of Guernsey's territorial waters through public survey - Marine Spatial Plan will establish long-term vision for marine environment extending to 12 nautical miles - Plan will cover almost 700 square miles, balancing fishing, shipping, renewable energy, and conservation needs - First public survey open until 12th June, with draft plan to be published for further consultation - Workshops and focus groups with specific stakeholder groups to be held in coming weeks ### [Residents set to move into new specialist housing at La Vieille Plage](https://www.thequarry.media/residents-set-to-move-into-new-specialist-housing-at-la-vieille-plage/) Published 11 May 2026 - Fourteen purpose-built flats for islanders with learning and physical disabilities will welcome residents from 13 May - La Vieille Plage features individual kitchens and bathrooms, shared communal spaces, 24-hour support and assistive technology throughout - The development includes Guernsey's first fully inclusive swing, a therapeutic sensory room and accessible gardens - Residents will move from Sunnybrook at Duchess of Kent House and other supported living arrangements - The project benefited from collaboration between States of Guernsey, GHA and community donations from Mencap and Co-Op Community Fund ### [Vale Earth Fair launches alien sculpture trail to mark 50th anniversary](https://www.thequarry.media/vale-earth-fair-launches-alien-sculpture-trail-to-mark-50th-anniversary/) Published 11 May 2026 - Vale Earth Fair celebrating 50th anniversary in 2026 with alien sculpture trail across the island - Local charities, community groups and creatives invited to create alien sculptures from reused or environmentally friendly materials - Completed sculptures will be displayed at various island locations throughout summer 2026 - October auction planned with 50% of proceeds going to Vale Earth Fair and 50% to maker's chosen charity - Organisers seeking both sculpture creators and locations to host displays ### [German ambassador to UK visits Guernsey for first time in over a decade](https://www.thequarry.media/german-ambassador-to-uk-visits-guernsey-for-first-time-in-over-a-decade/) Published 11 May 2026 - German Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Susanne Baumann, visited Guernsey this week in the first such visit for more than 10 years - The ambassador laid a wreath at the German Military Cemetery at Fort George and met with senior government officials - Discussions covered Guernsey's interests relating to the EU-UK Reset, as well as trade, energy and financial services - The visit follows the signing of the Biberach-Guernsey Framework of Friendship arrangement and coincides with Liberation Day celebrations - Ambassador Baumann also met with representatives from the Guernsey Music Service and students from the Guernsey Youth Orchestra ### [Guernsey expands development impact fund to £7m without additional taxpayer spend](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-expands-development-impact-fund-to-7m-without-additional-taxpayer-spend/) Published 11 May 2026 - Guernsey Development Impact Fund to expand from £1m to £7m without additional taxpayer spending - Expansion achieved by increasing allocation within States of Guernsey's General Investment Portfolio - Fund operates through impact investing, targeting social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns - Will support projects addressing poverty, healthcare, education, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods - Approach allows capital to be recycled over time and helps attract additional private investment ### [Channel Islands clarify motor finance complaints process amid UK redress scheme confusion](https://www.thequarry.media/channel-islands-clarify-motor-finance-complaints-process-amid-uk-redress-scheme-confusion/) Published 11 May 2026 - CIFO clarifies that UK motor finance redress scheme does not apply to Channel Islands consumers - Channel Islands have no statutory compensation scheme equivalent to UK system being established - CIFO can review motor finance complaints and award compensation up to £150,000 where merits exist - Consumers must first complain to lender or dealer, waiting three months before escalating to CIFO - Organisation offers free, impartial service for resolving financial services complaints in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark ### [Hesitation is paralysis: insurance industry must evolve to build global resilience, experts warn](https://www.thequarry.media/hesitation-is-paralysis-insurance-industry-must-evolve-to-build-global-resilience-experts-warn/) Published 11 May 2026 - Insurance must evolve into a forward-looking resilience strategy rather than a reactive payout mechanism to address emerging global risks, experts warn at London seminar - Paratus chief executive Gus Majed cautions that geopolitical fragmentation since the 1970s has begun to unwind, creating systematic risk in energy markets - Industry practitioners discuss using captive insurance structures to incubate emerging risks that might otherwise be considered uninsurable - Growing affordability challenge highlighted in climate-exposed regions, particularly in Asia, where protection gaps are widening as risks escalate - Guernsey's regulatory sandbox approach enables safe piloting of innovative insurance models, with jurisdiction hosting £280 billion in fund assets ### [Second World War bombs to remain buried in Route Isabelle field](https://www.thequarry.media/second-world-war-bombs-to-remain-buried-in-route-isabelle-field/) Published 7 May 2026 - Four 2,000lb British bombs from Second World War to remain buried eight metres underground in Route Isabelle field - Expert analysis concludes bombs unlikely to be armed and pose no threat to life - Campaigner argues they should be dealt with and questions past actions by politicians and senior civil servants - Bombs believed dropped from British Short Stirling Bomber after aborted raid on German naval vessel - Decision made following extensive consultation with Ministry of Defence, NATO specialists and British Army experts ### [Protected building owners given more flexibility for energy-efficient window replacements](https://www.thequarry.media/protected-building-owners-given-more-flexibility-for-energy-efficient-window-replacements/) Published 7 May 2026 - Development and Planning Authority allows greater flexibility for replacing windows and doors in protected buildings with double-glazed timber alternatives - Common historic window types such as six-over-six or one-over-one sash windows can be replaced on a like-for-like basis if they accurately replicate the original appearance - Decorative, rare, ornate or intricately carved features of high heritage significance must be retained and repaired wherever possible - Planning permission still required for all window and door replacements in protected buildings - Property owners have welcomed the changes, with a "flurry" of applications ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ## Guernsey Gazette [Forest Parish is holding a meeting on 13th May 2026 to approve 2025 accounts and set 2026 rates for owners and refuse collection.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/8889?ref=thequarry.media) [St Saviour's Constables remind Perelle Bay mooring holders to ensure they have third party insurance for their vessels.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/8888?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. [ Games by The Quarry The Quarry's weekly cryptic crossword. thequarry.media ](https://www.thequarry.media/games-by-the-quarry/) ### Information Hub **[Planning Applications and Decisions](https://www.thequarry.media/whats-happening-near-you-this-weeks-planning-approvals/)** **[Roadworks and Closures](https://www.thequarry.media/roadworks-latest/)** **[Weather and Tides](https://www.thequarry.media/weather-and-tides/)** --- ### VR Gallery Explore our virtual reality galleries. **[The Quarry VR Gallery](https://www.thequarry.media/the-quarry-vr-gallery/)** **[Ste Apolline's Chapel](https://www.thequarry.media/discover%5Fguernsey%5Fste%5Fapollines%5Fchapel%5Fvirtual%5Ftour/)** --- *If you'd like to back our independent journalism further please consider [becoming a paid subscriber or member](https://www.thequarry.media/#/portal/). It helps support our in-depth news and feature writing beyond the traditional headlines. There are monthly and annual payment options available.*