The chairman of Selborne Parish Council has branded East Hampshire District Council's (EHDC's) failure to stop the alleged illegal export of materials from Chapel Farm in Oakhanger as "shameful" and "pathetic." Peter Chapman and fellow members of the council are furious that the EHDC has failed to take effective action to stop lorries moving materials, believed to be clay, from the farm in Roman Road during the last six weeks. Mr Chapman said: "EHDC has taken no effective enforcement action which is pretty shameful. Hampshire County Council (HCC) has been equally ineffective - it is responsible for enforcing the regulations for the importing and exporting of materials, but it has allowed them to drive a coach and horses through the town without permission, which is illegal. "HCC made one visit and because it didn't find anything it has left it up to the residents to gather the evidence, so we feel very let down." Chapel Farm has been at the centre of local discontent since work began to build an agricultural reservoir in March. The original prior notification order submitted by the Farm Partnership to build the reservoir was rejected by EHDC on the grounds that there was no agricultural need. However, because of an administrative error, the application got through and excavation work began. EHDC then issued a stop notice to prevent the creation of bunds on the banks of the reservoir, which the parish council claims has been "strenuously ignored". Peter Chadwick, team leader for planning applications at HCC, insisted the council is doing all it can. He said: "Our monitoring officer David Smith has made several visits to the farm, including one at the beginning of the week, and has found no evidence of clay exported from the site. If we are provided with evidence, such as the registration numbers of lorries which are taking materials off the farm, then will we pursue it." Now Selborne Parish Council and Oakhanger residents have vowed to take matters into their own hands. Mr Chapman said: "We are getting councillors and members of the public to observe the entrance to monitor the traffic coming in and out of the farm and reporting the movements which are illegal - which a large percentage of them are," he claimed. "We are hoping to have gathered and collated the evidence by the end of the week." The parish council also claims that the lorries have caused damage to pavements and road surfaces running through Oakhanger, including breaking the 30 mph road sign on the southern entrance to the village. Mr Chapman said: "There have been large amounts of damage to Honey Lane and Thatchet Lane as well as to the curbs in Oakhanger. Residents whose houses are open to the main road have been complaining to me, and one elderly lady told me she is scared to step out of her front door for fear of being knocked down by a lorry. These heavy vehicles are moving through our small village on an unclassified road, which is completely unsuitable for that type of traffic." The siting of the reservoir is another moot point for the parish council as it falls within the boundary of the proposed South Downs National Park. Mr Chapman is concerned about the devastation of the local countryside. He said: "We are talking about an area of typical English farmland and designated National Park, and they are digging a monstrous hole in it! "The reservoir is supposed to be solely for agricultural use, but a well-respected farmer and fellow councillor has assured me that whatever is going on, there is nothing to do with agriculture. Chapel Farm is despoiling the land and abusing the special position that farmers enjoy." A letter has also been sent to the Environment Agency about the potential pollution risks caused by the pit's proposed proximity to Oakhanger Stream. Councillor David Ashcroft added: "Most farms are moving away from reservoirs on the grounds of safety, for example if animals fall in or because of the nuisance value of the flies and what happens if it overflows and pollutes areas. I have always considered the whole idea to be a complete non-starter."
