Hamble quarry: Olympic gold medallist would remove name from path

Dani King Way is a 2.3-mile (3.5km) route runs from Hamble Lane, Bursledon, to Copse Lane, Hamble-le-Rice.

On the last day of the first round of the Hamble quarry appeal, councillors, police, gold medallists, and residents made their final pledge to the planning inspector to dismiss the Cemex appeal that aims to extract sand and gravel from the former Hamble Airfield.

On behalf of the Olympic gold medallist, who was born and raised in Hamble, Andrew Daniells said the athlete, is considering removing her name from the path if the quarry gets approved.

Hamble residents protesting the plans in Winchester

King won gold at the London 2012 olympics" target="_self">Olympics in the team pursuit alongside Dame Laura Kenny and Joanna Rowsell, and has since received an MBE and been given the freedom of the Eastleigh borough.

READ MORE: Shock as council withdraws opposition to quarry near schools

“The lack of serious measures to protect share path users is alarming," Mr Daniells said on her behalf at the enquiry. "The proposal is poorly conceived and falls with risks.

"The county council fails to adequately save the school children and other path users, suggesting a lack of understanding regarding cycling and walking along Hamble Lane.

“I object to this proposal with such conviction that I’m considering removing my name from the path if the quarry is approved.

"It would be a matter of time before someone gets injured or worse. I refuse to have my name associated with such a tragedy.”

READ MORE: Scores of residents descend to protest at Hamble Airfield planning inquiry

During the morning session on Friday, planning inspector Steve Normington reviewed all the conditions Hampshire County Council wanted imposed on Cemex for the quarry to go ahead.

Despite Mr Normington saying it is usual in this type of case to make changes or “tighten” conditions, he added that the council hasn’t been robust enough with the conditions.

Reviewing planning condition number 35, which stated “some load-bearing provision to stop soil compaction through pedestrian movements”, Mr Normington said: “What the heck is that [load-bearing]? I don’t know what that is […] There’s a lot of things that are not right there.”

Cemex previously said it was “confident the site can be operated without any significant adverse effects”, though locals have repeatedly hit out over the plans having negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of the community, as well as causing traffic problems.