A PUBLIC inquiry was due to start today into plans to turn part of the New Forest into a giant gravel pit.
New Milton Sand and Ballast wants to extract more than 800,000 tonnes of gravel from a 40-acre site at Downton Manor Farm, Milford on Sea.
Hampshire County Council rejected the company's initial application in 2005 after receiving an avalanche of objections from residents and traders in the picturesque village.
A second proposal submitted last year sparked similar protests and was also thrown out.
New Milton Sand and Gravel lodged an appeal and will present its case at today's inquiry, which is being held at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel.
The application is being opposed by Downton and Milford Against Gravel Extraction (DAMAGE).
Members of the action group fear gravel extraction will be allowed in other parts of the Milford area if the company wins its appeal.
Full story in today's Daily Echo.
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