Objection to gravel pit development

We were instructed almost three years ago by a group of concerned residents to provide advice and write objections to an application for gravel extraction at Wootton, Isle of Wight. Partly through legal arguments we raised throughout, the developer’s application was delayed and ultimately stalled. The land will now be a nature reserve.

Our points of objection focussed on the screening opinion, which was already nearly three years old by the time the application was submitted, and relied upon an erroneously small measurement of the application site. The actual application site, properly calculated, was around twice as large. We therefore wanted the screening to be updated, with the correct measurements, which would make the site fall within Schedule 1 (as opposed to Schedule 2) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Other arguments related to gravel needs on the island, the inadequacy of the highway network to support the extraction operations, which Island Roads had previously expressed concern over, and the noise and dust pollution the works would cause.

We acted for the client all throughout the lifespan of the objection, making representations to local counsellors, and the local planning authority, to ensure each time new information or an amendment was tabled, it was answered with further legal objections. Local campaigners were remarkable in their tenacity and determination, ultimately making the site unattractive for gravel extraction plans.