Extension sought to extract more gravel at Garrett’s Farm

Following the announcement that Palmer’s Farm, near Wootton, is to become a nature reserve, Wight Building Materials (WBM) has proposed a six-year extension to planning permission for mineral extraction at Garrett’s Farm, despite permission already being in place for more than 15 years.

In 2022 WBM applied for permission to extract building materials at Palmer’s Farm, describing it as “the last known significant remaining reserve of sand and gravel on the Island” with only two to three years supply of ‘existing permitted reserves’. The only other source was Crocker’s Farm near Cowes.

The Palmer’s Farm proposals prompted a public outcry and WBM’s plans for the site ended in March when it was sold.

In 2009, permission was given to excavate 190,000 tonnes of material from Garrett’s Farm, part of a wider quarry complex on St George’s Down, with work to be completed “in about five years”. The permission was renewed in 2017, again claiming extraction would last five years. Now an application has been made to extend permission until February 2031, with an estimated 100,000 tonnes remaining on the site.

WBM, which employs 36 staff and indirectly supports 30–40 contractors and hauliers, has defended the application. A company spokesman said it was reviewing reserves, following the Palmer’s Farm announcement, and explained that focus had been on extracting elsewhere in recent years and the previous Palmer’s Farm landowner had asked that the site be prioritised ahead of others. He added: “Our planning application aims allow us to use the site as needed over six years. About two years’ worth of materials remains there.

“We have sufficient reserves to continue operations for the foreseeable future while exploring options for both owned and leased sites.

Crocker’s Farm, with 200,000 tonnes of reserves, would require further planning consents and discussions with tenant farmers to ensure continued dairy farming alongside potential mineral extraction.

There have been no objections to the current application. You can see the details under reference 25/00398/RVC via iw.observer/planning-portal. The public consultation closes on Tuesday (April 22) with a decision expected in mid-June.