PLANS to dig six million tonnes of sand and gravel at Plumley Wood on the Somerley Estate near Ringwood have been approved by Hampshire County Council.

Division councillor Kathy Heron opposed a new gravel washing plant at Burnt Hill on the grounds that neighbour Mr Ayling lives in very close proximity.

Notwithstanding her protests, the plans were passed by the council’s regulatory committee.

The gravel will be dug between 2014 and 2025.

Minerals will be transferred from Plumley Wood and Farm by a new conveyor to the washer at Burnt Hill, which will be contained within a building to reduce noise when in operation.

Another new conveyor will carry it over Harbridge Drove to Nea Farm Quarry where it will be transferred to an existing conveyor and carried over the River Avon to Tarmac Ltd’s existing plant and sales site at Blashford.

The application includes a four hectare extension to the 30-year-old Blashford site.

The plans include modernisation and redesign of the existing minerals bagging plant, processing equipment, concrete plant and inert waste recycling facility.

Also included is an educational area for visiting school pupils and college students constructed above new offices and staff mess.

Plumley Wood and Burnt Hill are in the Ringwood Forest Site of Interest for Nature Conservation and the conveyor crosses the Avon Valley which is a Special Protection Area, a Special Area of Conservation and a Ramsar wetlands site of international importance.

However the county council says the project is “unlikely to cause an adverse impact for the river Avon”. In addition, 40 hectares of land will eventually become available for nature conservation.

Cllr Heron, whose own home has had gravel pits dug on three sides, said: “I didn’t find it a big problem, as long as they get their bunds up and water them.

“I do not have a problem with Plumley Wood but I do have a problem with Burnt Hill.”