A new minerals and waste plan outlining where quarrying and other activity will take place within Hampshire will go before county councillors next month.
The authority has been consulting community groups, businesses, other councils and agencies over the past few months to prepare a draft document, which will be considered by the council cabinet in September. Members of the public will be able to have their say at a special meeting of the full council in Winchester on October 13.
Cllr Mrs Anna McNair-Scott, chairman of Hampshire County Council, said: “There has been considerable interest in the plan not only from Hampshire residents but also from some communities bordering Hampshire. I understand that residents from some of these areas would like to speak to the council about the plan when we consider the next stage of the process at our special meeting in October.”
The authority has amended its rule to allow people living outside the county but who may potentially be affected by the proposals to speak at the meeting. A public meeting is also taking place in Verwood, in Dorset.
Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport at the county council, said: “We are passionately committed to protection and enhancement of Hampshire’s wonderful environment. The county council, along with other county and unitary councils has a duty to make appropriate provision for minerals extraction and the management of waste, and we are drafting the Mineral and Waste Plan precisely because this is the best way to ensure that mineral and waste operations do not threaten the character and special qualities of Hampshire.
"It is better to take a considered approach by preparing a plan, which allows full consideration of the relevant issues and balances the requirements of boosting the local economy with maintaining residents’ quality of life and protecting the environment.”
