A campaign group has been set up to stop plans for a gravel excavation quarry near Wootton.
Wootton/Whippingham Against Gravel Extraction (WAGE) held their first official meeting last night (Thursday).
It has been formed in response to a proposal from Wight Building Materials (WBM) to excavate from 12 hectares of agricultural land at Palmers Farm.
The plans would see work carried out at the site over a ten year period.
Bob Holt, Chairman of WAGE, says there are "severe concerns" over the location earmarked for the quarry.
He said:
“It is in the wrong place, there is no good access route. The suggestion that Brocks Copse Road, even if substantial modifications are feasible, can handle 50 lorries a day for ten years is absurd, neither is using Palmers Road possible.
"After Brocks Copse the lorries are supposed to head back into Wootton to turn at the Cedars onto Station Road. That is madness and will cause severe disruption at one of the busiest and least safe island junctions."
WBM told Isle of Wight Radio last week that Palmers Road won't be used by lorries.
General Manager, Steve Burton, said a traffic plan will be out in place:
"There will be a maximum of 25 loads taken from the site daily via an improved access off Brocks Copse Road. A comprehensive traffic management plan to ensure traffic impacts are minimised will accompany the application with a commitment that no quarry vehicles will use Palmers Road."
Concerns over wildlife and loss of habitat gave also been raised by WAGE.
Bob said he fears WMB will "evict" wildlife for the ten years the site needs to be used.
He said:
"You cannot widen Brocks Copse because the area is abundant with wildlife.
"The habitat for badgers, bats, squirrels, invertebrates, mice and other rodents cover the road and farm but apparently WBM are somehow going to evict them for ten years. Perhaps they will do it by text message? In all seriousness this is a large site and the disruption will have a big impact on the flora and fauna of this scientifically important area.”
Steve said that comprehensive species surveys have already been undertaken and the application will include an agreed programme to compensate for any lost habitats.
He added:
"We have worked – and will continue to work throughout the project – to ensure we meet our environmental responsibilities. We will leave behind a more biodiverse area as demonstrated with our ongoing relationship with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at St George’s Down."
Wootton councillor Cllr Daryll Pitcher has also weighed in on the debate, calling the plans "disruptive".
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