News shared by Cheryl on behalf of the campaign group, WAGE (Wootton, Whippingham and Arreton Against Gravel Extraction). Ed
The serious concerns of residents regarding plans to extract almost a million tons of aggregates by strip-mining agricultural land have been ignored, say members of the pressure group WAGE (Wootton, Whippingham and Arreton Against Gravel Extraction).
A WAGE spokesperson commented,
“We were dumbfounded by Wight Building Materials’ recent press statement claiming measures had ‘addressed the issues raised locally’ regarding site traffic, the proposed route for HGVs and potential environmental impact of this development.
“We believe that is not the case.”
No mention of other lorries, vans and farm vehicles
Although the planning application (22/00654/FUL) states gravel trucks will not meet each other along Brocks Copse Road or Alverstone Road, there is no mention of other lorries, vans and farm vehicles or the safety risks to horse riders, walkers, and cyclists.
A proposed reduction in the speed limit wouldn’t negate these risks, due to the very limited width of these roads. The applicant’s suggested improvements to off-road routes would only apply to a limited section of the Isle of Wight Coastal path, which runs right along Brocks Copse Road. This road also forms part of the popular Round the Island cycle route.
Next to conservation sites
The planned quarry site is next to a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ancient woodland and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Similar proposals to relocate protected species to new habitats have ended in disaster in other schemes.
A 2010 survey commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council concluded that Palmers Farm would be among the least favourable sites for gravel extraction on the Island.
Water run-off into Kings Quay
A WAGE spokesperson added,
“Wight Building Materials acknowledge there will be water run-off into Kings Quay which is a designated ‘Ramsar site’, a wetland area of international importance for birds, where seals and sea eagles have been spotted.”
Land in the area contains zinc, lead, nitrates, arsenic and mercury which will be washed into Kings Quay along with spilled oil, diesel, rubber particles and other pollutants from the site.
Pitcher: Call for full, independent Environmental Impact Assessment
Isle of Wight council ward councillor, Daryll Pitcher, says,
“We cannot understand why a full, independent Environmental Impact Assessment has not been carried out.
“I will be calling on the Isle of Wight council to request this immediately, considering the impact on the Isle of Wight’s UNESCO biosphere status.”
“I hope people make their voices heard”
One local resident directly impacted by the plans adds,
“This is a quiet rural area, and I hope people make their voices heard. The assessments commissioned by Wight Building Materials admit that there is uncertainty in the calculated site noise levels, and any mitigation of dust and particles is dependent on ‘diligent adherence to measures’ on the site.”
Residents wanting to submit their objections to the proposed gravel pit have just over two weeks to do so, using the Isle of Wight council’s planning Website or writing in to the planning department. The deadline for public comments is Monday 16th May.
Wootton Parish Council meeting
Members of the public can also attend the Wootton Parish Council meeting which will discuss the gravel pit planning application at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd May at Wootton Community Primary School.
See the WAGE Website for more information and the group can be contacted via email: [email protected]
Image: billy freeman under CC BY 2.0
