Regarding the letter from J. Bowen of Newport (CP online, 13-12-22) “Is this an example of hardcore Nimbyism?”

May we take the opportunity to explain that WAGE are not Nimbys and therefore are not against gravel extraction in our area providing it does not present a threat to health and the environment?

However the proposed site at Palmers Farm clearly does.

Gravel extraction by its pure nature is invasive. The disturbance to the farmland and wildlife at this site will be monumental.

READ MORE: Waging war on gravel extraction plans on the Isle of Wight

Added to that there will be 50 daily movements of eight-wheeled HGVs along the rural Brocks Copse and Alverstone Roads.

Both roads in parts are barely four metres wide.

These particulate distributing monsters are 2.6 metres wide therefore unable to pass other vehicles let alone each other.

Remember these roads are part of the Round the Island Cycle Route and the coastal path and are used by cyclists, walkers and horse-riders.

The Highway Code stipulates a minimum of 2m clearance when passing cyclists — you do the maths.

To permit 20-plus tonne trucks to use these roads is clearly ludicrous.

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However, there is a more sinister and health threatening reason that the public are probably not aware of... silicosis.

This is a serious respiratory problem caused by airborne silicates released during the extraction of sand and gravel.

Consequently, many countries including Canada, Australia and the USA believe silicosis could be the new asbestosis and have introduced legislation to prevent the extraction of sand and gravel near urban areas — some with a 1,500m exclusion zone.

READ MORE: Isle of Wight WAGE anti extraction group are not just nimbys

In this country even Bob Seely, our representative in the House of Commons, according to Hansard, supported a Private Members Bill in parliament on December 1, 2021.

It stated: “that leave be given to bring in a bill to introduce a presumption in planning decision-making against approving quarry development in close proximity to settlements; to require the risks of proposed quarrying sites to health and the environment including through silica dust to be assessed as part of the planning process” it further goes on to say “requiring that a minimum distance should be set at 1,000m at least for silicates and noxious gasses as recommended by the research.”

If the above is not solid cause for our council to reject the Palmers Farm gravel extraction planning application on both health and environmental issues, then call us Nimbys if you must.