Islanders opposed to plans for sand and gravel extraction at Palmers Farm in Wootton are braced for a planning application by the end of this month.

The company behind the scheme has told the Isle of Wight County Press that work is underway to address concerns about traffic movement and the environment, in time for an application to be formally submitted by the end of March.

Wight Building Materials wants to extract gravel at a yet to be revealed site at Palmers Farm, off Brocks Copse Road, to supply local construction.

It would take place over four phases, lasting ten years and it says the site would be returned to nature at the end of the work.

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Google Maps. The proposed site is at on land at Palmers Farm, between Wootton and Alverstone. HGVs will not use Palmers Road, Wight Building Materials has said. 

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Wight Building Materials, which used to be Bardon Vectis, is based on St George's Down near Blackwater.

It says the Wootton work would protect around 40 jobs and reduce the need to import sea-dredged construction materials from the mainland.

Islanders opposed to the plan say they are worried about its impact on the natural habitat, especially at neighbouring King's Quay, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, lying on the historic Barton Manor estate.

What does the Isle of Wight campaign group WAGE say about the gravel extraction plan?

From campaign group WAGE, spokesperson Bob Holt said: "Well over 100 people joined us at three public meetings at the end of last year.

"There is significant potential environmental impact on wildlife and natural habitats.

"The proposed 50 HGV movements a day, along part of the Isle of Wight Coastal path and down a narrow country lane, onto one of the busiest and most dangerous main roads on the Island, poses a significant risk to cyclists, walkers, horse riders and other vehicles."

Isle of Wight County Press: WAGE's Bob Holt (left) and Cllr Daryll Pitcher (right).WAGE's Bob Holt (left) and Cllr Daryll Pitcher (right).

Wootton councillor Daryll Pitcher said: "This is absolutely the wrong scheme in the wrong place.

"I will be supporting as many residents as possible, once we see the final detail of the planning application."

Wight Building Materials says it is working to address fears.

Steve Burton, Wight Building Materials general manager said: "We have said all along that we are keen to work closely with the community in developing this plan and this remains the case.

"The issue of access is clearly a matter of concern and we are looking at all options to, if possible, arrive at a plan that addresses these reservations."

Its application had first been expected late last year and then in February.