Kent County Council’s draft minerals sites plan names land near Hermitage Quarry that includes ancient woodland, prompting conservation groups to urge objections. Campaigners warn the proposed extension into Oaken Wood could cause substantial, possibly irreversible loss of ancient woodland. Gallagher Aggregates says the extension would secure local stone supplies, protect jobs and use mitigation such as soil translocation and native planting. The consultation runs until 10 September.
Quarry Plan Risks Kent’s Ancient Woodland — Campaigners Urge Public To Object
The Woodland Trust opposed proposals to extend the quarry into Oaken Wood [The Woodland Trust]
Kent County Council (KCC) has listed land containing ancient woodland in its draft minerals sites plan, prompting strong opposition from conservation groups who warn that a proposed extension of Hermitage Quarry could cause irreversible damage to Oaken Wood.
What’s Proposed
The consultation identifies sites that could be suitable for future extraction of sand, gravel and Kentish ragstone. The draft keeps three existing sites — Chapel Farm (Lenham) for soft sand, and Stonecastle Farm (Hadlow) and Moat Farm (Capel) for sharp sand and gravel — and proposes a new extraction area south and west of Hermitage Quarry near Aylesford.
Part of the nominated land is designated a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS), meaning it occupies an area of ancient woodland that has been replanted but retains important soils and biodiversity value.
Arguments From Both Sides
Conservation groups — including Kent Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust, CPRE Kent and Friends of Oaken Wood — say the extension would cause significant and potentially permanent loss of ancient woodland. Campaigners have urged residents to respond to the consultation, warning the impact could exceed the combined footprint of HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing.
"Ancient woodland is a living part of our history. Once it is gone, it is gone forever," said Nick Trower, planning and policy officer at Kent Wildlife Trust.
"This quarry extension would cause the biggest loss of ancient woodland in England this century," said Jay Henderson, campaigns manager at the Woodland Trust.
Maidstone Borough Council has formally objected, citing the loss of ancient woodland, habitat fragmentation and harm to biodiversity.
Gallagher Aggregates, operator of Hermitage Quarry, says the proposal is necessary to secure local supplies of building stone, protect jobs and support the economy. The company states it will use mitigation measures such as soil translocation and new native woodland planting to reduce environmental impacts.
Sean Gallagher, managing director of Gallagher Group, said: "The council's decision will bring benefits for the economy, the environment and heritage buildings, while protecting jobs and reducing reliance on imported materials."
Supply Needs And Next Steps
KCC says Kent is expected to require about 19.9 million tonnes of hard rock up to 2039, and that existing stone reserves may be exhausted by around 2033. Leader Linden Kemkaran stressed the need to balance mineral requirements with environmental and social considerations and urged the public to take part in the consultation.
The consultation is open until 10 September. Members of the public can respond to KCC’s draft minerals sites plan during this period.
Why It Matters: Ancient woodland is irreplaceable: its soils, fungi, plant communities and centuries-old ecological networks cannot be restored quickly once destroyed. The debate highlights the tension between local infrastructure needs and nature conservation.
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