Hamble Airfield Quarry Planning Inquiry – Outcome And Next Steps

As many of you will be aware, following the Planning Inquiry held earlier this year, the Planning Inspector has granted permission for the quarry at Hamble Airfield to proceed.

This is extremely disappointing news for everyone in our community – especially those who have worked tirelessly over the last 4+ years to oppose the plans. This outcome is not what any of us wanted, and we share the community’s deep concern about the impact this development will have on Hamble and the surrounding area.

As your Parish Council, we are now working closely with the Hamble Peninsular Residents’ Group (HPRG) and our legal team to analyse the Inspector’s decision in detail and to consider the options available to us. If you would like to read the full report, you can find it here: https://bit.ly/4qrFlFy94.

There is now only one possible legal route of challenge open to us – a Statutory Review in the High Court. This process is similar to a Judicial Review but follows a specific legal procedure for planning decisions.

A Statutory Review can only be brought forward on legal grounds – that is, if it can be demonstrated that the Planning Inspector did not properly apply all the rules and regulations in reaching his decision. If grounds were found to challenge the Inspector’s ruling, the Statutory Review process could be initiated by Hamble Parish Council on behalf of the village and take up to two years to conclude. If the Review found in our favour, the Inquiry process would be re-run by the Planning Inspectorate – but the quarry application could still ultimately be approved. We are taking advice on the costs and risks of such a step and will consider our options once these are known.

During this process, there will be no opportunity to submit more objections, lobby decision-makers, or further protest against the application. The Review will only consider the material already presented to the Inquiry. As a community, we can no longer influence the decision that has been made, other than through a Statutory Review.

Despite this setback, we have already achieved an enormous amount to date. HPRG has recruited some world experts and authored thousands of pages of evidence. The wider community submitted over 5,700 formal objections – a remarkable demonstration of local concern and unity. HPRG, the schools, residents, businesses, sports/social clubs, and the Parish Council presented a strong, well-evidenced case throughout the planning application process, supported by the ongoing engagement and participation of our community. This decision has been made in spite of the determined and coordinated efforts of the community, and everyone involved should be proud of the commitment shown to protecting Hamble.

It is important that we celebrate the determination and hard work of everyone involved in opposing a quarry in the middle of our village. It never was and never will be an acceptable location for a quarry. However, the situation has now changed. What was a hypothetical possibility of a quarry is now a certain reality unless we can find another way of stopping it or at least delaying it.

We will continue to keep the community informed as we work with our legal team to determine the most appropriate next steps – please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.