CONTROVERSIAL proposals to use Parley Court for sand and gravel extraction will go on display at a public consultation event in January.

Residents are being urged to have their say on the contentious issue, which campaigners claim could put nearby residential properties in Redhill and Muscliff at risk of flooding.

A period of public consultation is currently underway and will end on February 13, 2014. Anyone wishing to find out more about the plans can attend a public consultation event at the Muscliff Community Centre between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday, January 29.

Cllr Ron Whittaker who represents Throop and Muscliff, said the fact the Parley Court area is prone to flooding meant it was completely unsuitable for use as a sand and gravel extraction site.

He said bunds would have to be built to protect the 71 hectare site and that could force flood water onto the Stour Valley.

“Water would be prevented from flooding naturally on to Parley Court and would instead flood on to the existing riverside area of Redhill and Muscliff,” he said.

“That would clearly pose a serious environmental disaster to the upper banks where numerous properties are. If ever approval was given for gravel extraction at Parley Court it would cause enormous environmental damage to the nature reserve and all it holds within the Stour Valley.”

The Mineral Sites Plan is being produced by Dorset County Council, in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole councils. It outlines a total of 44 sites suggested by the minerals industry and landowners.

Mike Garrity, head of minerals and waste planning policy, said: “It is very important that residents and stakeholders express their views on the 44 suggested extraction sites now, as their opinions will shape the basis of more detailed appraisals of each site and ultimately could help form the decisions made by the county council.”

After the consultation, the county council will analyse comments and decide which sites will be allocated for future quarrying.