Hamble Airfield: Quarry plans set for rejection

Villagers say they are "thrilled" that a new quarry proposed on the site of a former airfield looks set to be refused.

The plans for Hamble Airfield in Hampshire is set to be refused over its transport impact.

Next week, Hampshire County Council will make the final decision on building firm Cemex's application.

The application raised more than 2,000 objections from residents, schools and doctors.

Local resident Emma Westmacott said she was happy to learn the planning officer has recommended refusal.

Ms Westmacott, who represents the Hamble Peninsular Residents group, said: "We have downed a year of our lives to fight it... it's relentless. This planning is really brutal for the communities."

However, she said that "it is not really over", adding: "We definitely have to keep the pace. We still have to keep them doing the work and producing the goods at that meeting. We have the people and the specialists to get them all there. We have to nail it."

Cemex wish to use the site to extract sand and gravel for seven years, and then infill for the next six years.

The report to the committee said the bid was acceptable from a landscape, ecological, archaeological and visual impact perspective.

But it said the potential highway impact was one of the main areas of local concern and "does not encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport and appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes have not been taken up as part of the development".

It also highlighted concerns over the likely risk of "unacceptable flooding impact".

The final decision will be made by Hampshire County Council's regulatory committee on Wednesday (May 15).

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.