A GROUP has been set up to oppose plans for a gravel extraction quarry at Wootton.

Wootton/Whippingham Against Gravel Extraction (WAGE) held its first official meeting last night (Thursday) at Lakeside Park Hotel, Wootton.

The campaign group has been formed in response to the proposal from Wight Building Materials (WBM) to excavate sand and gravel from the rural location of Palmers Farm, as reported in last week's County Press.

Responding to WBM’s announcement of the plans, Bob Holt, chairman of WAGE, described it as little more than PR spin.

He questioned the suggestion it would safeguard jobs and said he believed only two people would be working on the site itself.

WAGE have 'severe' concerns regarding the site’s proposed location.

“It is in the wrong place, there is no good access route," he said.

"The suggestion that Brocks Copse Road, even if substantial modifications are feasible, can handle 50 lorries a day for ten years is absurd, neither is using Palmers Road possible.

"After Brocks Copse, the lorries are supposed to head back into Wootton to turn at the Cedars onto Station Road.

"That is madness and will cause severe disruption at one of the busiest and least safe Island junctions.

"You cannot widen Brocks Copse because the area is abundant with wildlife.

"The habitat for badgers, bats, squirrels, invertebrates, mice and other rodents cover the road and farm but apparently WBM are somehow going to evict them for ten years. Perhaps they will do it by text message?

"In all seriousness this is a large site and the disruption will have a big impact on the flora and fauna of this scientifically important area.”

WAGE have also questioned the need for the site to be developed, suggesting WBM look at other 'less impractical' areas first.

IW Council member for the area, Cllr Daryll Pitcher, added his voice in support of WAGE.

He said: "I was shown these plans soon after being elected in May.

"It was instantly obvious how disruptive this would be and how impractical the access issues are and I pushed for a public meeting to take place."

He said he was concerned that Island Roads "acts as the advisor" to the Isle of Wight Council on highways matters for planning, but "they are owned by the same company as Wight Building Materials" and suggested there could be a conflict of interest.

Island Roads responded: "Wight Building Materials is 50/50 jointly owned by Eurovia and Aggregate Industries.

"Island Roads is wholly owned by Eurovia and delivers services as part the Isle of Wight highway maintenance contract."

WAGE can be contacted via their website wage-iw.org

WBM said in advance of the application, it has held briefing meetings with Wootton residents and will continue to liaise with neighbouring Isle of Wight Council ward members and other elected councillors.