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WRAGE Press Release 7th June 2007
Inspector’s Report Published on Hampshire’s Mineral and Waste Strategy
View the Inspector’s report for yourself (via Hampshire County Council website)
The Inspector has issued his report following the Examination in Public of Hampshire County Council’s Minerals & Waste Strategy. Speaking on behalf of WRAGE Peter Martin said “We note that the Inspector has approved the Strategy in principle but we are pleased that several important constraints have been placed on Hampshire that will restrict their ability, and that of the Minerals and Waste Industry, to exploit the resources without regard to the local population generally and specifically the residents of Walkford Highcliffe Burton, Bransgore and west New Milton who have already objected in such large numbers”
“We take a measure of satisfaction that the Inspector notes that, provided planning permission is granted in existing preferred areas, there is no requirement for further sand and gravel sites in the Forest Area until after 2016.”
“Similarly the reassurance that road capacity will play a part in determining specific sites will, in conjunction with a requirement for Hampshire to consult with Dorset on this topic, assist in opposing proposals for specific sites. Nevertheless we are irritated that, despite a specific directive from the Inspector, Hampshire has failed to provide WRAGE with traffic capacity figures for the centre of Lyndhurst. We will be reminding the County of this omission.”
“We are particularly pleased to note that not only the adverse effect on sites with International and National Designations (which includes the New Forest National Park) are to be taken into account but also damage to their settings which was an amendment we argued for. Similarly we see that the Woodland Burial Ground is now required to be given specific consideration.”
“Lastly we see that consideration of the likely effects of mineral extraction and landfill on health are also now to include consideration of the likely impact on well being and quality of life. I am sure there are many people in and around Walkford and Roeshot who will have opinions on that aspect.”
WRAGE still has serious reservations about the Strategy but is relieved that there is now a firm basis for submitting its observations on Hampshire’s proposals for specific sites. This will be done before the deadline of June 19th.
Contacts
Peter Martin 01425 280281
John Lloyd 01425 278720
Dr Chris Day 01425 270723
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