A NEW row has erupted over plans to dredge Dibden Bay and dump huge amounts of mud on the foreshore near Hythe.

The environment Agency has criticised one of the main arguments put forward by bosses behind proposals to "recharge" mudflats between Hythe and Cadland.

Associated British Ports (ABP) says the controversial scheme will benefit the environment by capping contaminated material on the shoreline.

But the claim was disputed at the Dibden Bay public inquiry yesterday by Bob Barnes, who works at the agency's groundwater and contaminated land centre.

He said the worst contamination was confined to a comparatively small area near the Esso and Enichem outfalls at Fawley refinery.

Mr Barnes began his evidence by criticising statements made at the inquiry earlier this month by Ian Townend, managing director of ABP Research and Consultancy Ltd.

He said that Mr Townend had "misinterpreted and misrepresented" information relating to the amount of pollution lurking in the top layer of sediment.

"ABP would have us believe the whole foreshore is contaminated and would benefit from being capped by uncontaminated, pre-industrialised alluvium," said Mr Barnes.

"Mr Townend does this by presenting averages - but in this case the average is the mother of all invention.

"In terms of the top 100mm of sediment, contamination is restricted to the southern end of the foreshore and the immediate vicinity of the Esso and Enichem outfalls."

Mr Barnes accused ABP of failing to prove its own argument.

"The promoter's contentions that there is a need to recharge the foreshore due to levels of contamination is not supported by their investigation work," he said.

Earlier, the inquiry heard from Hythe parish councillor Graham Parkes, who also hit out at plans to change the face of Southampton Water.

He said: "ABP admit that due to their proposals there will be increased erosion of the foreshore in front of Hythe Marina and Hythe itself. This is in addition to existing erosion, which has probably been caused by the erection of significant port installations since the Second World War."