A newsletter sent to Hamble RAGE contacts on Dec 14th 2007

Well done to everyone who responded to the Hampshire County Council (HCC) Minerals Plan public consultation period, finishing on December 12th 2007.  Anyone unfamiliar with this situation can find the information on the RAGE website listed below, or through the HCC website on: http://consultation.limehouse.co.uk/hants/drafts/15/index.html

The Policy itself is on:  http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire_minerals_plan_isa_report_15-10-07.pdf

We're also aware of efforts to extend this first public consultation period through 10 Downing Street petitions etc. This might be a good idea but it will delay the inevitable. This is just Phase 1 of the public consultation: to gauge initial reaction after the sites were proposed based solely on their availability, without taking into account the impact on the local communities and environment. Our purpose was to make it clear to the HCC that they must carry out a full impact study into the implications of each site including the alternatives. This we hope we have done with the scale of our response.

We have requested to the HCC that we now have a representative on every meeting concerning these proposals from now on so we can stay abreast of the situation and adjust our strategy.

So now we have to keep track of developments within HCC and draw together all those people in the area with knowledge and skills in any of the required, environment, planning, mining etc, so that we can be ready to counter attack their decisions which should be publicised in Spring 2008.

What can you do? Please email us at info@hamblerage.co.uk so that we can add you to our distribution list and update you with progress as it unfolds.

Please pass on this website address to anyone that you know, that you think this may concern, businesses, residents, users of the area.  We'd also like to hear from anyone who is willing to help us going forward, plus those of you that have already taken some action, so as not to double up resources. The RAGE committee has started to formulate a plan of action.