Residents speak out on quarry plans at Ashley Manor Farm in New Milton and Yeatton Farm in Hordle

PLANS for gravel extraction at sites in New Milton and Hordle have prompted major concerns from residents and local councillors worried about the health implications for communities and impact on tourism.

Both areas are responding to Hampshire County Council’s draft minerals and waste plan consultation as the authority moves to include Ashley Manor Farm and Yeatton Farm in Hordle in its list of potential quarries.

Ashley Manor is already at the centre of a controversial bid by New Milton Sand and Ballast (NMSB) for excavation, opposed by residents, town councillors and the area’s MP.

If either site makes it onto the final document, it raises the likelihood of digging there.

Around 30 residents attended a special public meeting held by New Milton Town Council’s planning committee last Friday to discuss the issue.

Eleven of them spoke during the town hall gathering, including Julia Bowen of campaign group RAGE (Residents Against Gravel Extraction).

The site’s important open rural character was highlighted and it was stressed the plot holds the highest greenbelt status.

Opponents believed the site’s use as a quarry would desecrate its historic value of downland for agricultural use, and argued the area’s proximity to the cemetery would expose mourners to dust and noise.

Mrs Bowen branded this “disgusting” and “distasteful in the extreme”.

Other points raised included heightened erosion risk as the site is just one mile from the cliffs, the threat to an important town gateway for tourists and businesses, and anecdotal evidence of bats roosting in the farmhouse.

One planning committee member vowed that the profits of one business would not be put above the health of residents nor the environment.

The committee was due to have considered its official response at its meeting tonight (Thursday).

Chairman Cllr Steve Clarke told the A&T on Monday: “We’ve listened carefully to the views of the community and, generally, we’ll be reflecting those views in our response to the consultation.

“The views expressed by committee members were generally supportive of residents.”

Hordle Parish Council discussed its response to plans to include Yeatton Farm on the eastern side of Hordle Lane at its latest meeting on Tuesday.

Around 30 local residents attended, along with representatives from NMSB, with a primary concern from locals being the proximity of the site to Hordle School - just 500 metres away.

It was argued the impact on the school would be conpounded by the anticipated development of the SS8 site of Skye End Lane with over 160 houses.

Hordle parish clerk Sarah

Pitt said: “Other fears were around the effect of the quarry on the health and wellbeing of residents, noise from the lorries and diggers throughout the week, the impact of lorries on the A337 and the visual impact on the greenbelt.”

Lib Dem district councillor Malcolm Wade has also warned fellow members at NFDC’s latest meeting of the environment and sustainability overview and scrutiny panel that unless the plan was fought, the document would just “sail through”.

NFDC is due to submit its response to the consultation.

To respond, visit bit.ly/3iAFCIk, email HMWP.consult@hants.gov.uk or post to Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – Partial Update, Minerals & Waste Policy, Elizabeth II Court West, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UQ by 31st January.