Hamble's legal challenge against Cemex quarry being created at former airfield is thrown out

A last-ditch legal challenge aimed at halting plans for a controversial former airfield has been thrown out.

Hamble Parish Council has confirmed that its Statutory Review challenge against permission for Cemex’s proposed sand and gravel quarry at Hamble Airfield has been unsuccessful.

Paul Holmes, Conservative MP for Hamble Valley, described it as a “sad blow for residents”.

The challenge was the latest stage in a long-running campaign against the development, after a planning inspector overturned Hampshire County Council’s earlier refusal and granted permission following an appeal.

The parish council had previously said a Statutory Review was the only remaining legal route open to challenge that decision.

In an update shared on Facebook on Tuesday, the council confirmed the challenge had failed.

A spokesperson said: “We are meeting our legal team to understand whether there is any possibility of challenging this decision. The window for any challenge will be short, but we will keep residents informed of what happens next.”

The council acknowledged it could not yet provide fuller details, but said it wanted to notify residents of the outcome without delay. A more detailed update and a link to the report are expected to follow.

Speaking after the announcement, Mr Holmes said: “This is a sad blow to all of the hard work that Hamble residents have put in to defeat the absurd decision to grant planning permission to the Hamble Quarry, which I’ve always opposed and will continue to do so. I know residents are looking at next steps and I’ll work with them every step of the way.”

The dispute reached the Royal Courts of Justice in June, where a High Court judge heard the council’s claim that the planning inspector had not properly carried out their role during the 2025 appeal process.

The council’s barrister, Ben Fullbrook, argued the inspector had failed to follow the correct legal process and had acted irrationally in assessing potential hydrological effects on internationally designated conservation sites.

Residents travelled to London to demonstrate their opposition to the quarry plans, which Cemex said would provide sand and gravel for building projects and infrastructure work in Hampshire.