RESIDENTS of hamlets near Upton are banding together to oppose plans for gravel extraction near their homes.

Quarrying firm Cemex UK intends to apply for planning permission for the extraction, between the River Severn and the hamlets of Queenhill and Holdfast.

The company held a public exhibition at Queenhill WI Hall on Saturday, December 4, to present their plans to local residents.

Residents' spokesman Nickie Inchbald said: "Probably about 90 per cent of the residents round here are against this. We will be putting our opposition forward as strongly as we can."

She said Cemex told residents that normal policies, which say that gravel extraction must be at least 200 metres away from properties in settlements of six houses or more, did not apply, because the hamlets do not count as settlements.

"But we've got a parish council and a church, and we're a real community," she said.

Residents intend to oppose the plan on the grounds that the land is not designated for mineral extraction, that it would affect the riverside Severn Way, a footpath of national importance, its impact on wildlife, and on the archaeological remains of mediaeval Holdfast.

Pat Harries of Holdfast Cottage said: “The impact on our homes and quality of life will be considerable with noise, dust and vehicles going past our windows during their working hours which Cemex tell us includes Saturdays. After the floods of 2007 when surface water failed to drain away quickly from this area, removing the porous sand and gravel layer is bound to exacerbate the flooding problems.”

Cemex was not available for comment.