HAMPSHIRE County Council has defended plans to dig a new quarry in Kingsley, against the wishes of those who argue that the area is unsuitable for further excavation. At a full council meeting on Thursday, July 10, councillors agreed the minerals plan, which will now go to further consultation. The site, between Shortheath Common and Lode Farm, is in the proposed South Downs National Park. Other concerns are that the site is adjacent to listed buildings – Kingsley Mill and Lode Farm – and is surrounded by Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and internationally protected Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The plan has sparked fierce criticism from residents and councillors alike. Alton rural county councillor, Mark Kemp-Gee – who went against the Conservative whip to oppose the plan – said: "I simply do not understand it. "I believe that potential excavation sites in Whitehill-Bordon have been withdrawn as a result of the eco-town bid, and that there are a number of more suitable sites in the area that could be considered.  "The plan has been tampered with late in the day and now the council have got themselves in a muddle. "I am implacably opposed to this plan. This is a highly sensitive area of natural beauty and should be protected." But HCC executive member for environment, Mel Kendal, said: "The land in the proposed Kingsley Quarry extension is on the edge of the proposed National Park, and would not be detrimental to National Park purposes. Indeed it would provide benefits to the National Park, following restoration, by adding new biodiversity features and providing new habitats. "Many sites, approximately 110, have been investigated for possible mineral extraction, and were eliminated for many different reasons. "Land at Bordon and Whitehill was investigated, but until the eco town programme is confirmed and a development programme adopted, it is not possible to confirm if it is possible to extract minerals from here. "If HCC does not plan for the extraction of minerals, sites could be imposed by planning decisions made on appeal, regardless of the consultation and assessments that have been carried out over recent years." The plans come as the Government requires HCC to identify land to supply sand, gravel and other minerals locally, at a current level of 2.63 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) until 2016. This amount is based on past production, not taking into account future needs, availability of materials or environmental constraints. Hampshire currently supplies 20 per cent of the land-won sand and gravel for the whole of the South East. The county council believes the level of expected extraction is is too much, considering the need to protect Hampshire's countryside and the falling pattern of mineral sales and has decided to only plan for 1.82 mtpa. As part of the fight against high levels of sand and gravel extraction, HCC is urging residents to take part in an on-line poll. It is choosing future quarry sites on the basis of this lower figure. However, if Government does not accept this lower figure, additional quarries may be imposed on Hampshire.   "Given a choice, we'd love to avoid any new quarries being developed. But we know that's not realistic. The crucial thing is to make sure we give HCC the strongest mandate possible to argue that local people support the least damaging option for the environment," said Hampshire resident and environmental campaigner, Karin Clayton. "Everyone knows there's a credit crunch hitting the construction industry.  "HCC is right to reject the Government's out-of- date extraction targets on sand for building, and we must all give them support by voting for Option D to show the strength of local feeling. "If we don't do this many more Hampshire residents may face the noise, increased lorry traffic and environmental destruction of new quarries being developed near their homes." The poll is at: consult.hants.gov.uk/portal/pdpp/ hmp/sand_and_gravel_apportionment_poll Click on Option D – Environmental (1.82 mtpa). The poll will end on Friday, August 1.