IT IS one of the most dreaded phrases among homeowners.

The words "gravel extraction" strike fear into communities that are threatened with it on their doorstep.

As Hampshire prepares to find out where the county council plans to carry out quarrying over the next ten years, the public is being invited to comment on the way in which sites are put forward.

In July, Hampshire County Council is due to make a final decision on which of the county's 14 preferred sites will see gravel extraction take place.

Click here for the consultation document

The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) has set the county a target of digging up between 1.9 and 2.4 million tonnes of gravel every year.

SEERA is now consulting Hampshire residents on whether the environment or the local need should come first when allocating sites.

It wants to know individual and group views on targets for gravel tonnage for the county council should it be influenced by local demand for aggregates, the potential environmental damage, or both.

Currently, targets are set according to the levels of aggregate production in the past.

Pauline Bowdler, a founder member of the CAMEL (Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill) group, has led a widely-supported fight against proposals for gravel extraction at Brownwich and Chilling, an area between Titchfield and the Solent.

The site remains on a list of potential gravel extraction locations being considered by Hampshire County Council.

A list of sites where gravel extraction will take place is due to be determined in July.

Pauline said: "Both the environment and demand need to be considered, but the environment is most important.

Even if the land that is used for gravel extraction is reinstated afterwards, it is never as unique as it was to start with."

Janet Gill, also a member of CAMEL, added: "The environmental impact must outweigh anything else. If gravel extraction happens at Chilling, it will take out four square miles of land next to the coast, an area of natural beauty with ancient woods.

"Eventually they are going to have to find a different way because, if we continue to build, the gravel will run out.

I think they should look for a complete alternative, such as extraction of aggregate from the sea, to avoid the desecration of the environment."

Councillor Moira Gibson, chairman of SEERA's regional planning committee, said: "We want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible during the consultation. A reliable supply of aggregates is essential for building new homes, infrastructure and commercial property but we want views on how we can best balance that need with environmental and social concerns."

The consultation runs from now until August 8.