Residents fighting plans for a massive gravel pit in a village have issued a plea for others to back their campaign.

They say that more supporters need to come forward if they are to save Hamble Airfield from the bulldozers.

The area has appeared as a “suggested site” in proposals for the county council’s Minerals and Waste Plan – meaning it could be earmarked for one and a half million tonnes of sand and gravel extraction.

If councillors approve the plan this summer then a developer could move in and start digging a pit without gaining further planning permission.

But the Steering Group Against Gravel Extraction (STAGE) fear residents could be put off responding to the lengthy consultation document because of the long list of questions the county council has put out.

Group member Kate Cullen said: “What member of the public is going to read through a 148 page document and answer 65 questions? It’s not very user friendly. You’re not going to get a whole lot of people to sit down and answer all the questions so we’ll be looking at the best way to get as many to respond as we can.”

Hamble Parish Council, who are part of STAGE and are also fighting the plans, say the main issues are the additional traffic the gravel pit would bring to the busy Hamble Lane and the noise and dust created.

Council Chairman Michael Davies said: “This is right in the centre of a residential area – there are houses all the way round, and a school.”

Hampshire County Council says people taking part in the consultation do not need to answer all of the 65 questions.

Leader Ken Thornber said: “We want to hear everyone’s views on the suggested approach and sites, but also to comment on the other options we have considered and let us know of any alternatives you think we should consider.

“The Have Your Say document is not a plan and no decisions have been made about any sites at this time.

“We will use the feedback from the consultation, together with an analysis of the technical evidence, to prepare the draft plan.”

STAGE are holding a public meeting about the consultation tonight at 7pm in the school hall of Hamble Community College.

To get a copy of the consultation document, visit http://consult.hants.gov.uk/portal/.