Former model joins woods battle

Former fashion model Pattie Boyd has joined high-profile figures speaking out against proposals to build a clay pit and industrial recycling plant in woodland at Loxwood.

The icon of the 1960s and 70s and now successful photographer regularly walks her dog Freddie in Loxwood Woods and said she was appalled by the plan by Loxwood Clay Pits Ltd.

The company is preparing to submit a planning application to West Sussex County Council, proposing clay extraction from the woodland and the developmentofaconstruction materials recycling facility over a 33-year period.

Objectors said clay would be trucked out by HGVs from the site, while construction waste/landfill would be trucked in, with all HGVs travelling along forest tracks and through the local villages of Loxwood, Rudgwick and Alfold in Surrey.

“Imagine the tranquillity of this woodland, enjoyed by all of us, as well as wildlife for hundreds of years, replaced by heavy machinery and noise disturbance, six days a week from 8am to 6pm,” Pattie said.

She described the woods as ‘an enchanted forest’, and added: “I love being here and hate to think of it being destroyed.

Pattie, who has travelled all over the world in her career and during her marriages to George Harrison and Eric Clapton, said the woods remained one of the most beautiful places she has been to. She urged the public to get behind the Stop Loxwood Clay Pit campaign, and said a fundraising campaign had been set up to help fight the proposals. Last month rock musician Mike Rutherford also spoke out against the plans.