LONG-running and controversial plans for a new quarry in forest land near Moors Valley are still fiercely contested.
A new public consultation is ongoing into Grundon Sand & Gravel Ltd’s plans to create a 35-hectare quarry in Ringwood Forest – which has been fought by residents since 2012.
The Purple Haze site, which is south of Verwood, is allocated for mineral extraction in Hampshire County Council’s Minerals Plan as the best option for continuing a local supply of building sand to support developments.
The site is adjacent to, but does not form part of, Moors Valley Country Park and is used by walkers and cyclists.
According to planners, it is proposed to extract sand and process the mineral on site over a period of 20 to 25 years. The site is expected to yield approximately 4.4 million tonnes from the extraction area, with the rate of extraction predicted at between 150,000 – 200,000 tonnes per annum.
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare was among those to object to the plans, initially in 2021, dubbing them “reckless and unreasonable”.
In January this year, Mr Hoare resubmitted an objection, suggesting the applicant would continue pushing its plan until residents got “bored” of fighting it.He said: “Whilst time has elapsed since this proposal last reared its head, I can find neither factual nor policy point which could lead me to any other conclusion that to the fact that it should be objected to and rejected.
“If the intention of the advocates for this site is to try, try and try again in the hope that objectors become bored, they are mistaken.
“Purple Haze represents, as it always has done, an unacceptable environmental risk and an adverse impact on local residents.”
Recognising the opposition, Grundon reopened the public consultation and said it recognised how the proposed development “could have a potential impact on local communities” and it was “committed to discussing the proposals with local people”.
They added: “The scheme has been sensitively designed to enable the enhancement and creation of high-quality mosaic habitats which will provide increased opportunities and continuity of habitat for the key features within the site.
“In line with best practice, an operating quarry would only work small areas of land – known as phases – one at a time. Land not being used for extraction would remain in its current use.
“Once the sand has been extracted, that phase would be restored in line with the agreed restoration plan.”
The latest consultation will close on April 17.
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