PLANS to create a sand and gravel depot in central Basingstoke will get a second public hearing this week.

Independent planning inspector Andrew Freeman will look over the amended Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan at a public examination in Winchester. It follows an earlier set of hearings in June 2012.

The document outlines where the county is seeking to extract more than 1.5m tons of minerals per year, and how it will be stored.

Railway sidings in Houndmills have been earmarked to store aggregate, and Mortimer quarry in Mortimer West End could be extended under the plans.The two-day hearing will be on March 13 and 14.