Jack Davies "immensely disappointed" as Council refuses to object to Quarry Plans

Jack Davies, Liberal Democrat candidate for New Forest West, has said he is "immensely disappointed" after Conservatives on New Forest District Council refused to back his proposal urging NFDC to object to quarries at Midgham Farm and Ashley Manor Farm.

The proposal was made at a special meeting of New Forest District Council which had been called to scrutinise the Portfolio Holder's response to the partial update of Hampshire County Council's Minerals and Waste Plan. 

The Portfolio Holder's response had watered down the Council's previous objections to Quarry plans at both Ashley Manor Farm in New Milton and Midgham Farm near Fordingbridge.

16 voted for Jack's proposal whilst 22 voted against with 1 abstention.

Writing on his Facebook Page after the debate, Jack said:

"I was immensely disappointed...I had hoped for a cross-party agreement where councillors stood up for those areas which are going to see the biggest impact from these new quarry sites.

"I'm very grateful to my Lib Dem colleagues for backing my proposal (including Cllr David Millar who seconded it) and the other opposition councillors who put party politics aside and stood up for residents.

"Despite losing the vote, I'm incredibly proud that a cross-party group of councillors were able to force this level of scrutiny of the original decision and of the work done cross-party to try and get the right result for local residents."