Opposition to a gravel pit near the village of Winterbourne is heating up.

A number of Woolwich residents came to council chambers on Dec. 1, to protest the proposal to build a pit along Jigs Hollow Road and Peel Street.

David Sisco, a consultant from IBI Group, conducted a power point presentation to highlight the numerous reports that have been done for the proposed gravel pit, at the request of the township.

The process has, so far, taken nearly a year to get to the point of Tuesday’s public meeting, in part due to the township’s OPA 13, which has outlined a more stringent approach to reviewing gravel pit applications.

The Jigs Hollow Pit would, if approved, permit annual extraction of up to 150,000 tonnes, and would create truck traffic of up to six trucks per hour on local roads. The applicant is also seeking permission to import topsoil and asphalt and concrete, to crush and mix with the aggregate on site.

Residents were far from impressed with Sisco’s presentation.

Ron Craig, a resident of Winterbourne, said that he was concerned about how the gravel pit would affect the enjoyment of his property.

“The houses (along Sunset Drive) were all designed to get the view of the river valley, and the farmland beyond,” said Craig. “We live outside in summer, and have year-round views.”

Jan Huissoon, a mechanical engineer who also lives nearby, also disputed many of the findings of reports submitted by IBI Group, including a noise impact study.

Huissoon noted that the report used parameters such as wind direction at Pearson International Airport, rather than seeking such information closer to the site.

He also suggested that the consultants used their own methods of developing their results, citing references to “our experience” and “rules of thumb” used in the reports.

Other concerns were also raised about the increased truck traffic, and the impact it would have on a nearby Mennonite school, as well as the cumulative impact of other gravel pit applications in the vicinity.

Township staff will be reviewing all of the comments submitted by area residents and agencies before submitting a complete report to council with a recommendation on the gravel pit application.