OVER 300 people packed into Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall to hear about plans for gravel extraction at White Mill.

It was the second meeting about the plans, organised so that MP Robert Walter could hear the concerns of residents.

Last year land was proposed for mineral extraction but now Cemex has suggested a new site which runs along the Stour at White Mill.

There are fears the new site, in a beauty spot, would allow double the extraction of the amount previously proposed.

County councillor Robin Cook and district councillor Paul Bennett were also present.

Cllr Cook said: “It’s not a case of NIMBYism. What we are looking at is a very strong case of not going ahead with this proposal on environmental grounds.

“It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty. Residents feel this will spoil the environment possibly up to the next 30 years.”

District councillor Paul Bennett said they urge people to send views to Richard Henshaw, the forward planning team leader at East Dorset District Council at Furzehill and John Bennett, the team leader for minerals and waste planning policy at Dorset County Council in Dorchester.

Dorset county, Bournemouth and Poole councils are preparing a Mineral Site Allocations Document. Once adopted it will identify sites for extraction of sand and gravel.