Noise Dust and Visually Intrusive

The County Council plans to permit a mineral/aggregates depot at Basingstoke railway sidings. There are concerns about its visibility from Brookvale plus the noise, dust and number of HGV vehicles.

The Tories have ignored these concerns and agreed to promote the sidings in the final draft of their Minerals and Waste Plan.

The Borough Council objected about the proximity of the sidings to homes in Spencer Place and the Brookvale and South View conservation areas.

Over 6000 residents across Hampshire complained about different aspects of the plan but all objections have been ignored.

Lib Dem councillors tried to get the Tories to take greater account of the environmental, economic and transport consequences of mineral and waste activities on communities and businesses. But the Tories refused to budge.

"But it's not too late to object about the sidings," reports Cllr John Shaw. "The plan will now be published for public comment. The plan, plus any comments, received, will be sent to the Secretary of State in the Spring for scrutiny by an independent planning inspector at a Public examination."