Plans for a gravel quarry in Wootton have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.

Those behind the scheme say it will be sustainably managed and will protect at least 36 local jobs.

The application by Wight Building Materials (WBM) is for ten-year use of land at Palmers Farm, off Brocks Copse Road.

Measures have been included to alleviate local concerns over site traffic, and to protect and enhance the local environment.

WBM says the new quarry will ensure the Island can source its own sand and gravel to make construction materials for the next decade.

Palmers Farm is the Island’s last known significant resource of available sand and gravel, which WBM say makes the plan 'vital'.

Similar materials at WBM’s current sites will run out within two to three years while the level of permitted sand and gravel reserves on the Island is now below the seven-year minimum required by national policy.

The alternative to locally-sourced aggregates is to import them from the mainland, which could leave the local construction industry vulnerable to national economic and supply factors.

There are also logistical challenges of importing large quantities from the mainland.

WBM’s application states: “Use of indigenous resources is...the most sustainable means of the Island meeting its own needs and one that the current Isle of Wight Core Strategy supports.

"Imported sand and gravel would have to travel further which is less sustainable, more expensive and reduces jobs and investment on the Island.”

WBM has addressed issues raised locally about the possible effect on the Wootton environment and on traffic movements.

Detail in the plan for a gravel quarry at Wootton

The plan commits to minimising the ecological impact both before quarrying begins (work will be undertaken in four mini-phases each restored before work on the next begins) and also afterwards when the site is re-instated to create a more diverse habitat than it is currently.

These steps have been assessed by Island ecological experts ARC as being a 23 percent habitat net gain.

They include planting 1.5 hectares of native woodland and 1.8km of native hedgerow, creating a designated new reptile habitat and two small ponds/wetland areas.

Steps to control traffic include limiting site movements to between 8am and 4pm on weekdays only and only via a designated route from the site via Brocks Copse Road and Alverstone Road (Racecourse Roundabout section). Traffic will not use Palmers Road.

Lorry movement will be co-ordinated so site vehicles do not meet each other on Brocks Copse Road or Alverstone Road and a new site access will be created on Brocks Copse Road, away from properties.

In addition, passing points in Alverstone Road will be improved while WBM will also fund the preparation of a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce a 30mph speed limit on Brocks Copse Road.

Just two employees using three vehicles (a dozer, a digger and a dump truck) will carry out quarrying work and there will be no quarrying at the weekends nor bank holidays. No processing will be undertaken on site.

Steve Burton, WBM general manager, said: “While this is an application of Island-wide significance, we have taken great care to listen to — and minimise the impact on — nearby residents."

Campaigners have geared up in opposition to the quarry. Click here to read.