What next for Oaken Wood quarry proposals?

Plans to turn 100 acres (40 hectares) of ancient woodland in Kent into a quarry have proved controversial.

A proposed extension of Hermitage Quarry into Oaken Wood in Barming has been included in the Kent County Council (KCC) draft minerals site plan currently out for consultation.

Last month, KCC voted for extraction plans to be put forward for government approval, but has repeatedly stressed this did not mean planning permission for the site had been granted.

So, what does this mean? And what could happen to the 100-acre site?

A previous plan to expand the quarry was approved in 2013, with fresh quarrying plans proposed three years ago.

The draft minerals plan carries forward three existing sites at Chapel Farm, Lenham, for soft sand, and at Stonecastle Farm, Hadlow, and Moat Farm, Capel, for sharp sand and gravel.

Conservation groups, including Kent Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, CPRE Kent and Friends of Oaken Wood, have urged people to object to the plans, which have been defended by Gallagher Aggregates, which runs the quarry.

KCC said it was complying with its legal duties, although campaigners have accused the local authority of "ecocide".

The Woodland Trust said the proposals were "horrifying, completely unnecessary, and must be stopped".

A petition started by the charity back in 2023 has since been signed by 26,000 people, said the trust.

Jenny Schofield, Woodland Trust regional director of South East England, said KCC had "failed to show that there are special circumstances that could justify such a catastrophic and permanent loss".

Trustee of the Friends of Oaken Wood, Julie Read, said: "We talk about the deforestation of the Amazon, but we should be worried about the loss of woodland in this country. Once it's gone, it's gone forever."

The Friends of Oaken Wood are holding a meeting on 25 August to discuss the ongoing public consultation.

According to KCC, the county is expected to need about 19.9 million tonnes of hard rock up to 2039, with existing stone reserves forecast to be exhausted by about 2033.

Sean Connor, managing director of Gallagher Aggregates, said: "The continuation of Hermitage Quarry is the most effective way to meet the county's 20m tonne shortfall.

"It would avoid around 29,000 additional HGV movements and 180,000 tonnes of CO2 that would result from importing crushed rock from overseas."

Refuting the Woodland Trust's position, Gallagher Aggregates said it would "deliver 154 hectares of new and enhanced native broadleaved woodland", compared with the 42 hectares affected by quarrying.

"It will deliver a measurable improvement in habitat quality as well as quantity," Connor added.

Gallagher Aggregates also said the continuation of the quarry would support around 140 jobs and "approximately 400 businesses through the supply chain".

A spokesperson for KCC said it was required by law to publish the draft minerals site plan now subject to consultation.

"[It] will subsequently be considered through an independent examination led by a Planning Inspector appointed by the government," they said.

"Ancient woodland is recognised as an irreplaceable habitat and receives the highest level of protection within the planning system.

"The impacts of the proposed allocation, alongside all other evidence and consultation responses, will be considered through the independent examination process."

Maidstone Borough Council has formally objected to the proposal, citing concerns about the loss of ancient woodland, habitat fragmentation and impacts on biodiversity.

People can comment until 10 September.

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