Campaigners fight airfield quarry plans at inquiry

More than 5,700 people have opposed the quarry application for Hamble Airfield

Residents are preparing to take their battle against plans for a quarry to the planning inspectorate.

Campaigners will be taking part in a seven-day public inquiry into plans from extraction company Cemex to build what's been describe as a "totally unsuitable" quarry at Hamble Airfield.

The firm is attempting to get planning permission for the venture, which was rejected by Hampshire County Council in May and received more than 5,700 objections fom the public.

County councillors unanimously refused the application to extract 250,000 tons of sand and gravel a year, for seven years, from the former World War Two airfield.

Hamble residents protested outside the Hampshire County Council headquarters in Winchester.

Residents of all ages could be heard chanting: "No to the quarry, save our schools."

Among them, 8-year-old Theo, with his friends, took over the roads and asked cars to sound their horns to support their protest.

Theo said he lives in the Hamble village and doesn't want a quarry impacting his life.

He said: "I live where the quarry is going to be, and I don't want dust in my house."

Banners have been put up around Hamble village objecting Cemex's proposal

It comes after the authority rejected Cemex's proposal, because lorry traffic would have an "unacceptable" impact on local roads and because the company had not demonstrated air pollution would not impact protected habitats and species.

Hamble Peninsular Residents Group has been fighting the quarry application.

It has joined forces with Hamble Parish Council to create the Peninsula Defence Group, which will have legal representation during the appeal process.

Chair of the group Emma Westmacott said the community expected it to be a "tough day".

"There is a lot of anticipation. I gather there are a lot of people wanting to speak, after all, over 5,000 objections have been written," she said.

"I think the community itself is worn out by the whole thing. There is a lot of anxiety, but we feel pretty hopeful because we have done a lot of work. We just have to wait and see."

Ms Westmacott added more than 500 letters had been sent to the inspector objecting the plans.

A statement from Cemex previously said it was "confident the site can be operated without any significant adverse effects".

The inspector has split the inquiry due to the high number of people wishing to speak.

It will run until 4 April and the final inquiry days will be between 24 - 26 June and is being livestreamed via YouTube.