WALLINGFORD and Cholsey could be back in line for gravel extraction after Oxfordshire County Council increased the amount that needs to be dug every year.

Residents celebrated in February when a new strategy did not specifically name Wallingford and Cholsey as a location for extraction, because less gravel than expected was needed for housebuilding.

But last month the county council updated its strategy, which will now see more than one million tonnes extracted over the next 15 years.

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The amount of gravel required rose by 41 per cent a year, from 715,000 tonnes, following consultation with neighbouring county councils and gravel extraction consultancy firms.

Former mayor and town councillor Bernard Stone said: “Wallingford and Cholsey have been in the plan before so I think there’s a strong possibility that they could be again. Further details of the strategy will eventually be revealed, including specific locations for extraction, and I would not be surprised to see Wallingford and Cholsey back in it.

“I think it will be a scandal if the county council considers gravel extraction so close to so many homes in Wallingford.”

Cholsey county councillor and parish council chairman Mark Gray said: “Because the council is estimating that the amount of gravel that needs to be extracted should be increased, then Wallingford and Cholsey are potentially under threat again. However, I hope we would be able to fight off the threat as we have done in the past.”

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