Controversial plans for Hampshire waste quarry receive around 300 resident responses

TJ Waste, a waste management company based in Fareham, has submitted an application for a new project at Five Oaks Farm in Winchester Road, Shedfield.

The 78,963 square metre site would see the soft sand dug up and the area filled with 435,000 tonnes of clean inert waste and materials, such as bricks, ceramics and concrete.

The sand from the site would be used in future sustainable developments across Hampshire.

Once this is done, TJ Waste plans to then restore the land to its current state, with the whole project estimated to be a six-year process.

Soft sand such as that at Five Oaks Farm is most commonly used in the construction industry to make a bricklaying mortar.

But since the application was submitted, Hampshire County Council has received around 300 letters from residents, the majority of whom are against the proposals.

Writing to the council, residents have cited concerns about traffic from lorries and construction vehicles, as well as air and noise pollution.

Jasmine Kendall, who lives in Waltham Chase, said: ‘This is a small countryside village – there will be vast disruptions to the local wildlife, there will be even more lorries and HGV traffic contributing to noise and air pollution and with the speed some people drive there is a massive risk to life.

‘There are children both young and old, younger children at that end of the village in particular due to the local primary school, who walk to school and their safety should be paramount.’

David Chaplin from Shedfield added: ‘I object to this happening, the site is close to my home, there would be too many lorries creating danger and noise.

‘Also the dust would ruin my family enjoying our garden.’

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Concerns have also garnered the attention of Conservative MP for Meon Valley, Flick Drummond, who is worried about the site entrance being on a bend in the road.

She said: ‘The applicants themselves state that a large number of vehicle movements will be involved and that these will have an impact on nearby residential areas.

‘There are serious flaws with this application, and while my own views carry no more weight in determining planning applications than any other member of the public, I wish to ensure these objections are recorded.’

A spokesman for TJ Waste said: ‘The adequate and steady supply of local soft sand is vital to the future sustainable development of Hampshire due to its use in residential and infrastructure construction.

‘Our proposed soft sand extraction and restoration at Five Oaks Farm, which has been fully scoped with Hampshire County Council, will address a shortfall in local requirement.

‘Great consideration has been paid to the potential environmental and social impact within our application, which has been submitted in accordance with all relevant planning regulations.

‘If approved, this would be our third Hampshire-based mineral extraction operation alongside Butser Quarry, Petersfield and Forest Lodge Quarry, Hythe which provide local employment opportunities and community support.’

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