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CAMPAIGNERS have the champagne ready to celebrate the shelving of plans to dig a huge new gravel pit at Shootash.

Millions of tonnes of sand and gravel were earmarked for excavation at Stanbridge Ranvilles Farm, but Hampshire County Council's cabinet has now removed the Old Salisbury Lane site from its preferred options list.

The full council will have the final say on the matter on July 10, but members are expected to back the cabinet's decision not to allow any future extractions in the area.

Cabinet member, Roy Perry, hailed the decision as "first-class news" for local people.

And he said there were no further new mineral extraction sites identified in the Romsey area.

Cllr Perry, whose Romsey Extra division covers Shootash, said: "I have attended countless meetings arguing the case against these potential sites and I am delighted with the outcome, which I am very hopeful will now be ratified by full council."

Explaining the cabinet's reasons for removing Stanbridge Ranvilles Farm site from the preferred list, Cllr Perry added: "It was not just the environmental quality of the countryside that was a major factor in dropping it, but also the recognition of the cumulative impact of mineral and waste working.

"The Roke Manor site was recently approved and Squabb Wood is just down the road now as a landfill site, so Hampshire County Council members were convinced this area has produced its fair share of mineral working."

However, Cllr Perry did warn that there would be public inquiry into the county's minerals plan, probably next year, at which landowners and operators can still oppose the county council's position. A government-appointed inspector will have the final say.

Earlier this year, Raymond Brown Minerals and Recycling Ltd gained the green light to open a new sand and gravel pit in the Roke Manor Farm area, off Old Salisbury Lane.

A mineral processing plant will be set up at the site where more than 800,000 tonnes of sand and gravel has been earmarked for removal.

A delighted but cautious Jonathan Brazier, for Shootash Against Gravel Extraction (Sage), welcomed decision.

"This is good news for residents in and around Shootash, but the only worry is that Raymond Brown might appeal against the decision. It's one step forward in the right direction, but not the end of it yet.

"The full council still has to make its mind up on July 10. I just hope all the people in Shootash keep up the pressure," said Mr Brazier.

Another Shootash resident, David Croll, who lives opposite the Stanbridge Ranvilles Farm site, said: " I think a third site around here would have been too much. Hopefully, and fingers crossed, this is it"

Parish councils at Awbridge and Romsey Extra are opposed further mineral workings in the area.

Romsey's Conservative parliamentary candidate and Test Valley borough councillor, Caroline Nokes, said: "This was a very good decision by HCC and I welcome its recognition that the cumulative impact upon this area would have had a significant adverse impact upon the local residents, the countryside and the highways network. I congratulate Saged on its hard work and determination, which has really paid off."

8:02am Friday 27th June 2008

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