MORE than 200 angry residents of Hordle and Everton packed a parish hall to form an organisation to protest about long-term gravel extraction plans for the area.

Around 100 others were turned away from the meeting because the hall in Hordle recreation ground was filled to overflowing.

It was the first meeting of Heritage. It stands for Hordle and Everton Residents in Tandem Against Gravel Extraction.

People were urged to send letters to Hampshire County Council officers, one letter for each of the five sites considered "worthy of investigation" in the county's Minerals and Waste Development Framework.

The sites are 95 hectares at Batchley Farm, Everton; 29 hectares at adjoining King's Farm, Hordle; 48 hectares either side of the A337 at Leagreen Farm, Downton and 39 hectares at Yeatton Farm between Hordle and Downton.

If all were to go ahead the southern end of Hordle would be virtually surrounded by gravel pits which, in turn, would go on to become landfill sites.

Jim Sey, chairman of Damage (Downton and Milford Against Gravel Extraction) told the crowd how his organisation had fought off the challenge from New Milton Sand and Ballast to dig at the Downton Manor Farm site.

He warned their fight could be long and hard and would cost money. He said: "I don't believe there will be another community in the UK that would be surrounded like this if this goes ahead."

He claimed the gravel is not needed in Hampshire. "It might go abroad for all I know".

"Where is all this gravel going to go? It's going to go into the pockets of people who have interested in the company. It's going to go for commercial gain."

The main concerns about gravel extraction are that it will be unsightly, dirty, dusty and noisy. There will be increased numbers of lorries on the narrow lanes, some to remove gravel and others to bring in waste.

Property values will be affected, it is claimed.

Campaigners say tipping waste is not on acceptable activity in a rural area, it could have an adverse impact on the health of residents and on tourism and the local economy. And there are concerns that the rubbish will come from London.

Mr Sey said: "This is the first thin end of the wedge which is going to be driven into our communities, unless we stop them getting away with it."

Angela Meads of Apple Court, Hordle Lane was appointed chairman of Heritage and Laurence Prestage the communications officer.

After the meeting, county councillor for Hordle and Milford, Cllr Alan Rice, said: "It's a wonderful organisation and I will give them all the support that I can. It's an amazing reaction to a matter of public concern."

Heritage's next meeting will be in the larger Memorial Hall off Whitefield Road, New Milton on Thursday, November 30 at 7.30pm.