I would like to thank the County Press for its coverage of our forthcoming planning application to extract sand and gravel from Palmers Farm at Wootton.

This application is absolutely critical to the way Wight Building Materials (formerly Bardon Vectis) operates as the Island’s largest and longest-standing supplier of aggregate to the local building trade.

It is also crucial to the Island’s ability to source its own indigenous sand and gravel: the alternative is to ‘import’ such materials — probably sea dredged — from the mainland.

Given its importance, we are extremely keen to make sure the full facts of what we intend to do are put before the community and its elected decision-makers.

Our announcement last week was one part of that process — we have also met Wootton Parish Council and last night we were due to meet Whippingham Parish Council.

Feedback from these meetings has been taken on board as we refine our proposals ahead of submission.

As a quarrying company we have worked with the community for generations and I can assure residents that we will continue to do so throughout this process.

If anyone has any questions about the plan — or if any group would like us to attend a meeting to discuss our proposals — then do not hesitate to contact me: enquiries@wightbuildingmaterials.com