PERMISSION for the continued extraction of clay and the creation of a new access road at Selborne Brickworks has been given, but the work will not be allowed to continue for as long as the applicants hoped.
The applicant Forestry International Exports was seeking permission for the continued clay extraction, totalling around 856,500 cubic metres, until 2039. Inert waste would then be used to in-fill the void.
On top of this it wanted to create a new access road across Chapel Farm to the brickworks site to cope with the lorries and other vehicles going to and from the site.
But the plans sparked massive protest from Oakhanger and Selborne residents with around 100 letters of objection urging Hampshire County Council to throw out the plans.
Fears about the impact on the roads were expressed and objectors also argued that, if allowed, the clay should only be used by the tile and brick making business at Selborne brickworks and should not be exported to other companies.
Members of the county councilÕs regulatory committee, which discussed the plans last week, sympathised with the residentsÕ views but agreed that safeguards could be put in place, allowing the extraction to go ahead.
The committee shortened the time allowed for extraction by 11 years to 2028 and ordered that the applicants pay for highway improvements to the existing road network.
The committee also agreed with the recommendation of the councilÕs chief planning officer Peter Chadwick that the clay extraction must cease if the tile and brick making business were to close.
The committee also insisted that none of the clay which is extracted should be exported or sold to any other business.