Purple Haze news

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Looking ahead . . . following the recent public hearing sessions (see below), the next event affecting the future of Purple Haze site will happen in a few weeks’ time when a Government Planning Inspector will issue his Report and a Modified Plan to Hampshire County Council (HCC) Planning Department.

Depending on the Report & Modified Plan content, we will learn if the compelling Hearing evidence – presented to remove Purple Haze from HCC’s Plan – has been effective. Whatever the outcome, it’s likely there could be a further Public Consultation on the Modified Plan changes.

We will let you know as soon as anything happens. It’s simply a waiting game for now. In the meantime, we’ve shared the image below on Facebook – with a famous quote by John Crittenden Sawhill who was president of The Nature Conservancy – as a reminder to our supporters of why continuing to oppose the development of Purple Haze is absolutely the right thing to do . . .

All about the public hearing to examine Hampshire's Mineral & Waste Plan (partial update)

In short

A public hearing impacting Purple Haze (among other potential quarry sites in Hampshire) finished on 13th February. The Hearing called by a government Planning Inspector for the Secretary of State. in order to assess:

a) the legal compliance and b) soundness of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan which is currently in draft form. These two factors, in part, are influenced by planning decisions made for the allocation of individual proposed sites as quarries and, in some cases, for subsequent use as landfill.

Purple Haze was covered in a session on the morning of Thursday 13th February 2025. Recordings of this and preceding Hearing sessions are to be found here This link takes you to the Hearing web page. Please then scroll down to 'Examination Hearing recordings' for a list of the individual videos covering every session. We suggest you look at the recording for day 6 parts 1 and 2. The main discussion on Purple Haze starts 1 hour and 5 minutes into the day 6 part 1 recording.

We found that Planning Inspector, Luke Fleming, was 'down to earth', ensured all participants had their say in full and didn't talk in planning jargon. He was thorough in his search for answers to the questions that he raised before and during the Hearing.

Abbreviations

in the following, reference is made to 'The Plan'. This is the Hampshire Portsmouth, Southampton, New Forest National Park & South Downs National Park Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Submission Plan (July 2024). 'HCC' means Hampshire County Council. 'FoRF' means Friends of Ringwood Forest. Note: clicking on links in this page takes you away from this site. Generally, you can click on a back arrow or tab in your browser to return to a previously viewed website.

Background

In 2023, HCC published a draft of its partial update of the Minerals & Waste Plan for Hampshire.

The public were then asked to submit comments during a consultation period when expert witnesses for and against any content of the plan could also make submissions. HCC subsequently reviewed these comments and submissions. The council then updated the Plan accordingly. The updated Plan was then sent to the Secretary of State Planning Inspectorate.

As a result, a government Planning Inspector was appointed to review the updated Plan. The inspector then reviewed the Plan, raising questions and making observations which can be seen here. Following that, a public Examination Hearing chaired by the Inspector was set up for early February this year.

Those who had asked to be represented at hearings related to the Plan were invited to submit, in advance, statements covering the evidence that they wished to be presented at the February Hearing.

What did the hearing involve?

At sessions over a period of two weeks, the Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, examined the Plan.

The Inspector examines the whole planning process. Following the hearing, the Inspector will create a report which is then formally submitted, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to Hampshire County Council (HCC).

The hearing process was informal with 'round-table' sessions led by the Planning Inspector. This process is in contrast to the more formal, traditional format of a public inquiry. Accordingly, there were no cross-examinations or formal presentation of parties’ cases.

The starting point for the Examination was HCC submitting what it considers to be a sound plan. Those seeking changes had to demonstrate why they believe the Plan is unsound by reference to one or more of the established tests of soundness as defined by law.

The Examination process is explained comprehensively and clearly by Luke Fleming, here.

FoRF considers this document to be invaluable reading for understanding the on-going planning process.

What is the role of the Planning Inspector?

There are four main roles:

• To consider whether the Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Duty to Co-operate, as required by Law.

• To consider whether the the Plan meets the legal requirements of the Law and the Town and Country Planning regulations.

• To consider whether the Plan is sound – justified, effective, deliverable, consistent with national policy.

• To carry out the Examination (of the Plan) with the objective of contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development.

During the sessions, the Inspector discussed submissions with those who have asked to be represented.

The Inspector considers, during and subsequent to the Hearing, whether any soundness or legal compliance problems that emerge could be addressed by modifications to the Plan.

Was there an agenda?

Yes: it can be seen here

FAQ

Did Friends of Ringwood Forest have the opportunity to present a new submission prior to or at the hearing?

No. We could only present statements beforehand that addressed submissions already made and responded to by HCC and/or the Planning Inspector.

Who represented Friends of Ringwood Forest at the Hearing?

Britt Poyntz represented Friends of Ringwood Forest – attending the Hearing in person.

Who else made representation against the allocation, in The Plan, of Purple Haze as a quarry site ?

A representative of East Dorset Environment Group and Councillor Spencer Flower of Verwood Town Council.

Both attended the Hearing in person.

Is the Planning Inspector for the Secretary of State the final arbiter for the decision that Purple Haze (amongst other sites) be included in the finalised Plan, as a potential quarry site?

No.

Note: the following text is subject to revision. The principle outcome of the process that follows the Hearing will be whether or not The Plan is sound. Included in this is the soundness of allocating particular quarry or land-fill sites – including Purple Haze – to be included in The Plan. The Plan, updated with modifications arising from the Hearing Examination, will then go through a process of adoption by the HCC Full Council. Members of the public – that means you our readers – can be involved in that process! If included in the Plan, Purple Haze, as a quarry, can only proceed on the approval of an associated Planning Application which is currently on hold. In other words, HCC Planning department gets to make the final decision. Only after Planning Approval, can the quarry developer, Grundon, begin excavation and infrastructure works at Purple Haze.

Is there a deadline for publication of the Plan?

Yes. Currently the timetable here on page 7, gives Spring 2026 as the time when all authorities can adopt the Plan, as modified (or not), according to requirements or recommendations of the Planning Inspector. Following that, development of the Purple Haze site, if allocated as a quarry site in the Plan, would be subject to consent by HCC to the developer’s planning application.