New Milton Town Council objects to New Milton Sand and Ballast gravel quarry at Ashley Manor Farm

TOWN councillors were urged to channel the spirit of Margaret Thatcher and say “no, no, no” to plans for a quarry on the edge of New Milton.

Nearly 100 residents turned up to a meeting about the proposal to dig 1.7-million tonnes of sand and gravel over 12 years at Ashley Manor Farm, off Angel Lane.

Of the nearly 20 who spoke, only two were in favour of the scheme submitted by New Milton Sand and Ballast (NMSB) for a final decision by Hampshire County Council.

It would involve almost 29 hectares of land within the greenbelt being dug up in phases before being returned, during a further two years, as landscaped green space filled-in with mainly waste building material.

New Milton Town Council’s planning committee held the special meeting at the Memorial Hall to give residents a chance to air their views before agreeing a response.

The first two speakers were in support, with Graham Jackson, of the New Milton Residents’ Association, praising NMSB for its handling of Downton Manor Farm quarry, near Milford.

Bob Lord, chair of the town’s Friends of Ballard Water Meadow, described Ashley Manor Farm as agricultural land “devoid of wildlife” and with only limited public footpaths.

Although the quarry would initially be “brutal”, he said the gravel was vital for new housing and he looked forward to the site later hosting new habitats.

They were heard in silence but loud rounds of applause greeted each of the following residents who all objected, citing concerns about the impact of lorries and pollution, and the threat to wildlife and property prices.

Fears about the effect of dust on residents’ lungs were raised by local GP Dr Emma Macauley who said it was an “unknown hazard”.

However, NMSB’s environ-ment consultant Nick Dunn offered reassurance that excavators would be digging up wet sand and gravel, similar to that found on beaches, which posed no danger to health.

He said any dust from lorries would be tackled using water sprays in the same way as at Downton Manor Farm, which had received no complaints.

The plans were much smaller than a previous bid for the site, he added, and would not increase lorry movements locally overall, as its operation at Downton Manor was winding down. Those stand at about 150 movements a day.

But objector Carolyn Gardiner feared New Milton would change from being known as a “market town” to a “mining town”, harming tourism and trade.

Dame Sharon Hollows said the site was “teeming with wildlife” as a vital corridor for animals between the Forest and coast.

Jonathan Husbands predicted the land would later be planned for housing, under government targets, and he urged councillors: “Please imitate Margaret Thatcher, by saying, ‘No, no, no’.”

Assistant town clerk Theresa Elliott reported nearly 155 objections to HCC, with about 25 in support.

Town councillors all praised NMSB – which employs 163 people – as a business asset for New Milton but voted unanimously to advise HCC to refuse the plans.

Cllr Keith Craze said: “The town is developing well. The last thing we need is this being too close to residential properties.”

Cllr Steve Davies commented: “Downton Manor Farm is further away and not enclosed so much by homes.”

Cllr Alan O’Sullivan predicted a “mud bath” all the way up Caird Avenue.

As part of the scheme, the roundabout at the junction of the A337 and Caird Avenue would be expanded, giving access from the quarry to NMSB’s processing plant on the other side of the main road.

Working hours would be limited to 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

A previous application in 1992 was for 83.2 hectares but that failed after being rejected on appeal in 1998.

In 2007, the plot at Ashley Manor Farm was taken off HCC’s list of sites earmarked for gravel extraction.

The deadline to submit comments to HCC is Friday.