OPPOSITION is growing to proposals for a concrete recycling facility in Blackmoor.
East Hampshire District Council is the latest authority to object to the plan because of the impact it would have on residents and the environment.
EHDCÕs north planning committee heard that planning permission is being sought by Williams of Bordon, currently based in Headley Down.
The company has to relocate because of a compulsory purchase order on its site opposite Ludshott Common, which it has occupied for a number of years without planning permission.
As a result of the compulsory purchase order, East Hampshire District Council now owns the site, which it intends to hand over to the Grayshott Heathland Trust to restore as heathland.
The order took effect in February and the company was given three yearsÕ notice to relocate.
The committee heard that the site proposed for the concrete recycling facility is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Part of the site has been used as a timber yard in the past, but the majority of it is undeveloped.
The plans are opposed by Greatham Parish Council because the facility will overlook the village and will affect residents of Benhams Lane.
Whitehill Town Council has objected on the basis that there would be additional lorries on the A325, which it says Òhas a poor accident recordÓ.
Although Selborne Parish Council has not objected, it has expressed concerns that lorries would travel through Oakhanger and Blackmoor and fears for the safety of residents.
Nine letters of objection and a petition signed by 107 people have been received by the council.
David Kidd (Bordon and Whitehill) said that the old timber yard formed only one third of the site.
He described it as Òtiny and insignificantÓ and added: ÒYou couldnÕt manoeuvre a JCB in there at the moment.Ó
However Headley councillors Geoffrey Whittle and Jacinta Standen pointed out that the existing site was totally unsuitable.
Squadron Leader Whittle admitted that his views amounted to NIMBYism and that be wanted the facility out of Headley Down.
Lorries were travelling either through Grayshott or through Lindford and Headley to get to the current site, he pointed out.
Jacinta Standen said that the part of the site that had been used as a timber yard could revert back to that use at anytime without planning permission. There could be Òhuge juggernautsÓ carrying timber and making lots of noise.
She argued that the Blackmoor site was at least nearer both the A3 and the A325 and would reduce the amount of lorries on smaller side roads.
Anne Storey (Four Marks) argued: ÒIt is no good going from one bad site to another.Ó
She said she objected strongly to the application and that the applicant had to look for a more suitable site.
Zoya Faddy (Bordon and Whitehill) agreed, saying: ÒI am very worried this will be the totally wrong type of operation for this area.Ó
Mrs Faddy said that the AONB site was Òextraordinarily tranquilÓ and the facility would have a negative impact on residents.
District councillors agreed by a majority vote to object to the application, which will be decided by Hampshire County Council.
p Plans are in the pipeline for a waste recycling facility in Selborne.
The Portsmouth-based company T J Landfill has submitted plans to Hampshire County Council for a waste recycling facility at Selborne Brickworks in Honey Lane.
The applicant intends to recycle inert waste linked to the proposals for the recycling facility at Blackmoor.
Anyone who wishes to make representations about the application should write to the county planning officer at Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UE by November 30.