THE KEY figure in the Dibden Bay battle is meeting some of the 7,000 objectors during a fact-finding tour of the area.

Government planning inspector Michael Hurley will chair a public inquiry into controversial proposals for a £500m container terminal between Hythe and Marchwood.

Mr Hurley is visiting sites that are likely to feature in the inquiry, which begins later this year.

Last week he boarded a boat to view the huge area of reclaimed coastline where Associated British Ports (ABP) aims to build the terminal.

He also visited Marchwood businessman Ron Longman, who runs the 19th century Pilgrim Inn and the neighbouring Pilgrim's Progress Restaurant.

The two buildings are sandwiched between Hythe Road and the busy A326.

Mr Longman's land is next to the area where ABP wants to construct a major road linking the A326 with the proposed port.

If the scheme goes ahead, a large embankment will be built just south of the pub to carry Hythe Road over the new highway.

Mr Longman said the work would have a devastating impact on his business by "urbanising" its rural setting.

"I'm particularly concerned about the prospect of noise, light pollution from all the new street lamps and structural damage caused by HGVs," he said.

"The proposed new lighting will be totally alien to its surroundings."

Mr Hurley spent 20 minutes inspecting the thatched pub and restaurant before moving on to other sites in the Hythe, Fawley and Marchwood areas.

He was accompanied by representatives from ABP, plus officials from Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council. The two councils are both objecting to the Dibden Bay scheme on environmental grounds.

Mr Hurley's week-long tour includes visits to Fawley Refinery, Marchwood Military Port and the railway line between Totton and Fawley.

The line will be used by trains going to and from the terminal if ABP's proposals are approved. Experts say the public inquiry, due to start at the Waterside Theatre, Holbury, on October 30, is likely to last at least a year. When all the evidence has been heard Mr Hurley will make a recommendation to the government, which will then make the final decision.