A PUBLIC meeting on plans to dig millions of tonnes of gravel and sand from a beauty spot nearly erupted into chaos as hundreds of residents found themselves left out in the cold.

Organisers were overwhelmed by the numbers as locals - thought to total more than 800 - packed Brookfield School at Sarisbury Green to vent their anger over the controversial proposal which was described as "a rape of the countryside".

It was standing room only and about 200 residents were left outside after a decision was taken to close the doors on safety grounds. Roads around the campus were jammed with parked cars.

Feelings are running high over a county council moves to earmark Brownwich and Chilling, an area between Titchfield Common and the Solent, as a potential site to supply up to eight million tonnes of sand and gravel.

Frustrations boiled over as those left outside demanded to be let into the meeting. As county planning chiefs started to put their case there were chants from outside of "We can't hear!" and "We want to hear!"

In a bid to calm the situation Fareham MP Mark Hoban, who had been chairing the meeting, left the hall and spoke to the crowd milling around the doors. He said: "There are more people than we ever anticipated."

He pleaded for their patience and explained that the meeting would be split into two sessions. After an hour the hall was vacated so those who had been left outside were able to listen to the county's case and take part in the question and answer session.

A call for a show of hands produced a unanimous no to the gravel extraction plan.

The meeting was organised by Camel (Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill) and a spokesman said: "We were completely overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up. But it demonstrates the strength of feeling against this plan.

"An eight million tonne extraction would require over 400,000 lorries to carry the excavated gravel and then thousands more to infill. There would be horrendous congestion.

"The area is exposed to prevailing south westerlies. This will bring in continuous quarrying noise and dust to residents in all the neighbouring communities.

"The area has several ancient woodlands including Chilling Coppice and is a habitat for protected and endangered wildlife. All will be destroyed."

Brookfield School head Mrs Ria Allan, who sent out letters urging parents to attend the meeting, spoke of her fears about the impact of the massive gravel and sand digging would have on the local environment.

She said: "From the details that I have managed to glean I understand that four square miles of countryside and coastline will be affected."

Mrs Allan said this would close footpaths and bridleways and destroy natural habitats.

She said: "Increasingly the school receives concerns regarding groups of teenagers that gather in the evening and weekends at the shopping centre or residential areas because of limited recreational space.

"By reducing the open spaces and cycle ways still further there is a concern that we may be adding to some of the social issues that the community needs to address."

Camel founder member Mike Wilks said: "It is vitally important that the strength of feeling of residents in the area is made clear to the county council during the consultation process."

Fellow founder member Pauline Bowdler said: "We all have a duty to protect this beautiful, accessible and unspoiled stretch of coastline for future generations to enjoy."

Mr Hoban said: "This is one of the few areas of open countryside in Fareham and is very popular with local residents.

"Its loss would have a significant effect on the environment."

He added: "Local residents have until January 15 to let the county council know their concerns about the plans and I urge them to make sure their voice is heard."

Hampshire County Council head of planning Richard Read said a number of options were being considered.

He said: "This is purely a consultation draft. Consultation is vital to the final decision making process."