Hermitage Quarry extension included in consultation on draft minerals plan

Despite impassioned speeches urging them not to, county councillors have voted to include the extension of Hermitage Quarry into Oaken Wood, Barming, in the draft Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which now goes out to Regulation 19 consultation.

Ahead of yesterday’s meeting (Thursday, July 16), CPRE Kent had written to all county councillors objecting to the proposed quarry allocation within the plan, citing large-scale adverse impact on ancient woodland, loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) farmland, impact on a Local Wildlife Site and Site of Special Scientific Interest and impacts on listed buildings and air quality.

If the expansion of Hermitage Quarry into Oaken Wood does go ahead, at least 41 hectares of ancient woodland will be destroyed by the quarrying of Kentish ragstone. Nevertheless, councillors voted by 37 votes to 31 (there were four abstentions) to proceed with consultation on the draft plan.

CPRE Kent will now be responding robustly to the six-week consultation and continue to press for the Hermitage Quarry allocation to be removed.

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