CAMPAIGNERS fighting an application to turn part of the New Forest into a huge gravel pit have unveiled plans to stage a protest meeting.

Members of Downton and Milford Against Gravel Extraction (Damage) will highlight the environmental harm they predict will be caused by proposals to extract 810,000 tonnes of sand and gravel.

The group says the six-year scheme will result in noise and dust, plus extra HGVs on the busy A337 Lymington to New Milton road.

Last week people living near the 17-hectare site at Downton Manor Farm in Christchurch Road, Downton, saw district councillors vote to raise an objection to the application.

Members of the planning and development control committee said the scheme could have an adverse impact on the tourist industry.

Downton Manor Farm is close to the coastal village of Milford on Sea.

Bob Bishop, vice-chairman of the local parish council, told the committee: "This is a major threat to Milford and is causing tremendous anxiety.

"It would involve digging to a considerable depth and piling up huge banks and soil dumps, the creation of which would be extremely noisy. The impact on the parish would be quite devastating."

District councillors complained about various aspects of the proposal, including the prospect of additional lorries on local roads.

Milford member Mel Kendal, who is also leader of the district council, said: "It's right on top of Milford on Sea and represents an unwanted intrusion into the green belt."

The applicant, New Milton Sand and Ballast, said it was "disappointed" that the council had decided to raise an objection to the scheme.

A spokesman said: "We have won national awards for our environmental work and have a committed programme for the regeneration of flora and fauna."

The application will be determined by Hampshire County Council, which is expected to make a decision early next year.

The protest meeting organised by Damage will take place at the Red Lion pub in High Street, Milford on Sea, next Saturday at 10am.