Crunch time for plans to reopen disused Wolverton lime quarry

Villagers in Tadley, Kingsclere, Hannington and Baughurst were all fiercely opposed to the application by Tadley company John Stacey and Sons Ltd, to use the Kingsclere Lime Quarry, which lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, as a transfer station for construction, demolition and excavation waste.
Parish councillors and villagers fear it could result in hundreds of extra lorry movements along the A339 and rat-running through neighbouring villages.
With Hampshire county councillors due to make a decision on the proposals today (Wed), the company last week issued a statement, reiterating that lorries travelling to and from the quarry would not travel through Baughurst/Axmansford and Wolverton Common, Ramsdell and Monk Sherborne, Baughurst/Wolverton Townsend, Ewhurst or Hannington.
Kingsclere, along with neighbouring Ashford Hill, would not see any increase in lorries should the proposals be approved, according to Stacey’s estates manager Colin Stone:
“Circumstances are not envisaged which will produce extra travel through Kingsclere village,” said Mr Stone, who added: “Traffic through Ashford Hill will not increase as a result of the operation.”
He said that speculation that Stacey’s HGVs would regularly use minor country roads to access the quarry – to be used to recycle inert soil/construction materials – were “totally unfounded”, adding that Stacey’s employed local staff and had a vested interest in good working relationships with the local community.
He said that the facility would make use of existing quarry works not visible from public vantage points.
Councillors in Tadley, where Stacey’s are based, have also voiced fears the plans could create further heavy traffic in the town.
In September, Basingstoke and Deane borough councillor Graham Round (Con, Baughurst and Tadley North) said that Tadley would be affected by some 100 additional lorry movements a day if the proposals were approved.
Kingsclere borough councillor Cathy Osselton, (Con Kingsclere) who is among campaigners battling against HGVs travelling through the narrow streets of Kingsclere village, including Swan Street, said she would be speaking on behalf of villagers at the county council meeting in Winchester today.
Parish councils in Hannington and Baughurst have also protested against the proposals.
The proposals were originally due to be decided in July. The initial date was deferred until September, then again by a further month, following amended plans submitted by Stacey’s.
An online, 770-signature petition can be viewed at www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/stop-the-industrial-development-of-kingsclere-quarry.html
The plans can be viewed at www.hants.gov.uk, planning application number BDB/75928.