MP Paul Holmes raises Hamble CEMEX quarry plans in Parliament

Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes quizzed Prime Minister Boris Johnson about proposals submitted by CEMEX UK Operations - and was promised a meeting with the planning minister.

Mr Holmes said the quarry would generate 144 lorry movements a day in a congested area with only one access road.

Eastleigh MP raised the issue in Parliament. (Image: PA)

He requested a meeting with Mr Johnson, saying they needed to discuss the best way to tighten the rules relating to where quarries could be built.

Mr Holmes highlighted the need to consider the health implications, together with the impact on the environment and local communities.

Mr Johnson replied: "The planning framework is robust and should ensure that quarries don't have an adverse impact on the environment or on health, but I'll make sure he gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss his concerns further."

Residents are fighting plans to turn the airfield into a huge quarry.

If the plans are approved at least 1.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel will be extracted over a seven-year period.

Eastleigh Borough Council has objected to the application, which will be decided by Hampshire County Council. A meeting of the Local Area Committee was attended by representatives from Hamble and Bursledon parish councils, which are also opposed to the scheme.

Mr Holmes told the meeting that the proposed development failed to consider the "unique traffic patterns" on Hamble Lane.

The airfield is currently being used as grazing land.

CEMEX has defended the scheme, citing the huge amount of development due to take place in the area and the need for suitable building materials.

In a statement the company said extracting the gravel locally would cut costs as well as reducing carbon emissions.

The statement said: "Extraction of minerals from Hamble Airfield would likely offer cost and proximity benefits to a host of upcoming residential, commercial, and community projects across Eastleigh, Boorley Green, Whiteley, and Southampton."

A CEMEX spokesperson said the county council had already identified the airfield as being “the best option for providing a local supply of sand and gravel".

They added: “The environmental and amenity impacts of the proposals for Hamble Airfield have been assessed in detail, and the application demonstrates that there will not be any unacceptable impacts on the local community."

The airfield is owned by Persimmon Homes, which hopes at some point in the future to obtain planning permission for housing on part of the site.