Pupils protest against planned quarry near school

Pupils from The Hamble School said the planned quarry would affect their education

Pupils and staff angry at plans for a sand and gravel quarry close to their school have protested outside a council's headquarters.

Children from The Hamble School said they were worried about the impact on their education from the proposed development on a former airfield.

A planning inquiry that began in April has now resumed, which local objectors said gave them an opportunity to continue their fight.

The company behind the proposal, Cemex, said it had "a long-standing reputation of operating sites safely and effectively".

The Hamble School's deputy headteacher sad she was concerned about the impact on learning

Hampshire County Council initially rejected the plans, citing concerns about traffic, air quality and flood risks, but agreed after an appeal it should be allowed.

"We're concerned about how close the quarry would be to the school site," said deputy headteacher Sarah Valleley.

"The noise, the traffic and the effect on air quality would disrupt children's learning.

"You wouldn't build a school next to a quarry, so why are they proposing building a quarry so close to a school?"

The secondary school's head boy, Max, said: "We're shocked about the lack of consideration for our school. Noise and dust pollution could affect many pupils."

Aerial images published by Cemx show the site

In May 2024, the council's regulatory committee refused planning permission for Cemex's proposal.

The company appealed the decision, which resulted in an inquiry led by the Planning Inspectorate.

When that began in April, the council's barrister, Gwion Lewis KC, said it had changed its opinion after further information was provided by Cemex.

"The county council acknowledges that the proposal is controversial. It remains the subject of a high number of objections from local people," he said.

'Really disappointing'

Emma Westmacott, chair of the Hamble Peninsular Residents Group, said people's objections had been ignored.

"The council says our concerns can be mitigated against," she said.

"But we don't have evidence of that from any quarry in the country that is this close to sensitive receptors.

"I think it's really disappointing that Hampshire have dropped the case."

A spokesman for Cemex said "The site has been allocated as part of Hampshire County Council's Minerals Plan, for the extraction of sand and gravel to help meet the requirements for vital construction materials across the region.

"We have a long-standing reputation of operating sites safely and effectively across the UK and an excellent track record of playing an active role within local communities."

The planning hearing will conclude on Thursday, with a decision expected in the autumn.