NOT in living memory have so many people attended a public meeting at Newton St Cyres.

The maximum of 200 people filled Newton St Cyres Parish Hall and more than 50 people stood outside in the garden at the back of the hall, trying to listen to the debate going on inside through open windows!

Fortunately, a public address system meant everyone could hear what was said.

The meeting was held to discuss a proposal by Harleyford Aggregates, who hope to extract gravel and sand from the Creedy valley near Newton St Cyres.

The meeting was arranged by concerned members of the local community and was opened by local resident, Peter Hawksley, who explained that to date, no planning application had been made, but that the plan had been confirmed by the Church Commissioners, owners of the land from which the gravel and sand would be extracted.

He said he was "amazed at the turnout for the meeting", adding that he only expected 30 to 40 people to be there.

He welcomed two speakers, the first was Colin Yelland, a local resident, who said he had spent many years in the mining industry.

He said he could be viewed as "poacher turned gamekeeper" and spoke of his involvement in the plan, from his first meeting with the tenant farmers, Richard and Vanda Browne, who invited him to be present when a geologist and a planner representing Harleyford Aggregates held their first meeting with them.

Mr Yelland said that residents should not expect a planning application to be submitted for at least a year, probably in two to five years time, because reports including geology, ecology and hydrology would first have to be completed.

He said that the proposal was for 260 acres to be mined, and 2.5 million tonnes extracted, probably resulting in 1.7 million tonnes of gravel and sand. The remainder would be spoils.

He said it was uncertain if the proposal would mean crushing on site, which could result in dust and noise, or transported from the site to Kingskerswell, which could result in 40 lorry movements a day.

He said the working hours would probably be from 9am to 3pm.

He also said that a conveyor belt system would be placed over the railway line and a road bridge built over the river.

The mining was likely to take between 15 and 20 years, adding that access to the site would be a problem.

He explained that it was likely a central reservation would be required on the A377 at the turning into the SWW-owned works. However, he said that the gradient was too steep for lorries and would need to be re-graded.

A road would also need to be built across privately-owned land between the SWW land and the site.

No other access routes were deemed possible.

He said that re-instatement of the site afterwards would probably not be fully possible and expected to see six or seven lakes formed with some re-instatement.

Mr Yelland also spoke about planning procedures and the fact that the plan would need to be in the Mid Devon Local Development Framework and in the Devon Mineral Plan.

He suggested the formation of an action group and that all those opposed to the plan, lobby councillors and make representations to Devon County Council and the mineral operators.

The next speaker was Richard Browne, the tenant farmer.

He said he was the fourth generation of his family to farm there and that he and his family had anticipated farming in the area for 50 more years.

He spoke of the crops and farming methods he uses and said it was classified as farming land.

He said he feared that the land would not be so productive after the gravel and sand, which drains the soil had been removed.

He said that if the land was lost to a quarry, it could have "a detrimental effect on farming".

"I and my father before me see ourselves as caretakers of the land we farm", he said.

He added: "I see this plan as short-term gain but for a long-term loss.

"Thank you for your support and I hope very much it remains."

The meeting then agreed to the formation of an action group opposing the plan.

Those elected were: chairman, Peter Hawksley; secretary, Deborah Ayre; treasurer, Roger Clements.A committee was also elected.

A collection was taken to form a fighting fund and everyone was invited to give their contact details to enable them to be kept informed of future plans.

It was noted that at Facebook group has already been established called "No to gravel pits in Newton St Cyres".

It was agreed to write to all stakeholders and make clear the group's position to Devon County Council, the Highways Authority, etc.

A number of questions were taken from the floor, some asking if the landowner on which the roadway to the site would be built had sold the land or intended to, or was opposed to the plan?

County Councillor Michael Lee said he would represent the views of the group as required.

After the meeting Mr Hawksley, said: "I was amazed at the turnout and pleased that not one of those present spoke in favour.

"It really is encouraging".

Alan Quick