MORE than 300 people packed into a school hall in Bidford on Monday night to protest about a proposed gravel pit on the edge of the village.

They won the unanimous support of the parish council who will be calling a parish poll within the next month to get the full feeling of the residents.

Stratford MP John Maples and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Susan Juned also supported the residents' opposition to RMC Minerals' extension plans for Marsh Farm Quarry.

The company has lodged an application to extract one and a half million tons of gravel from the site - which stretches from Bidford's cemetery to the A46 roundabout - over five and a half years.

The gravel would be ferried on open conveyor belts to the main site between Broom and Dunnington.

Monday's public meeting followed an information session at the Crawford Memorial Hall on Saturday when representatives from RMC Minerals explained their plans and answered questions.

Among the other concerns are the visual and environmental impact of the scheme and the effect on house prices.

After the meeting the parish council issued a statement listing five main objections - health and safety, environment, noise and dust, environmental impact assessment and restoration. It concluded: "The parish council supports the views of the residents of the parish of Bidford on Avon in opposing this development."

RMC estates manager Tony Rowley said he was not surprised at the outcome of Monday's meeting. "Developments of this kind are unique in that sand and gravel can only be developed where it exists.

"We have undertaken environmental impact assessment and taken on board early consultations and responses and are confident the development could proceed without any undue impact on the amenities of the area."

Warwickshire County Council will undertake consultations over the next 16 weeks and the application will be determined by the planning and development committee.