SCORES of residents have gathered in protest against plans to create a quarry on a former airfield in Hamble-le-Rice.
Men, women and children all gathered on the former Hamble Airfield site on Thursday as plans persist to extract 1.7 million tonnes of sand and gravel.
Holding up banners reading "no quarry by schools" and "don't destroy our village", the villagers voiced their anger at the scheme by CEMEX.
The county council originally proposed Hamble as a quarry site in 2013 but has since faced tough resolve with 1,600 having now objected to the planning application.
If plans go ahead, the quarry would be located less than 70 metres from homes and within 160 metres of two schools, which residents say could be detrimental to the health of children.
READ MORE: Hamble residents' outrage at Hamble Airfield quarry plans
Concerns have also been voiced over traffic and an ageing Network Rail bridge.
The Hamble Peninsular Residents Group is leading the campaign against the scheme.
It is led by round-the-world sailor Emma Westmacott who said the village "will not put up with a decision made on poorly researched, flawed assessing and planning processes".
"We have pulled together as a village and tried to make everyone aware of the situation.
"Developers and councillors had better get ready to be accountable for their decision.”
The county council is still awaiting responses from Hampshire Highways and the Flood Authority with the deadline having been extended.
A spokesperson for CEMEX previously said it continues to work closely with the county council and is reviewing and responding to feedback.
They went on to describe Hamble as "a good location, close to urban areas, allowing the site to sustainably serve the surrounding communities without HGVs having to travel long distances".
But now the parish council has said is "extremely surprised and dismayed".
In a statement, the authority said: "We are bitterly disappointed that Highways have failed to respond to the consultation in a timely manner.
"This is the second time they have failed to meet the deadline and it smacks of an intention to hinder meaningful public engagement in this process."
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